ACFO re-elects John Pryor as chairman

ACFO has re-appointed John Pryor to serve as its chairman for a further 12-month term, with Caroline Sandall continuing as deputy chairman.

Pryor, fleet and travel manager at Arcadia Group, the leading fashion retailer, was unanimously elected by the ACFO board to serve as chairman for 2016/17 - his third year in the role. It will be Sandall's fourth year in her post.

They were re-elected at the first ACFO board meeting to be held following last month’s AGM. Also on the board are Phil Redman, managing director of PR Fleet Management; Debbie Floyd, group fleet and risk manager at Bauer Media; Denise Lane, head of group fleet at Capita; and Richard Baird, new business development director at Marshall Leasing.

Pryor, who has headed Arcadia Group’s transport and travel operation for 27 years and been an ACFO member for 18 years, said: “I am delighted to continue as ACFO’s chairman. It is vital for me and other people who have fleet responsibility to be able to discuss key issues with like-minded colleagues who collectively have a wealth of knowledge and experience.

“In organisations the job of the fleet manager can often be a lonely existence as fellow employees do not have practical knowledge or experience relating to managing vehicles.

"Therefore, ACFO fulfils a fundamental role in enabling members to exchange ideas and information.”

Pryor, who was first elected to the ACFO board in 2006, added: “ACFO will be continuing the work it does in liaising with motor manufacturers and fleet suppliers and, importantly, many government departments and agencies including the Department for Transport, HM Revenue and Customs and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

“Furthermore, we continue to work closely with a number of other industry organisations including the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association and the Institute of Car Fleet Management for the benefit of members and the wider fleet management community, which includes employees with vehicle responsibilities who hold jobs in HR, finance and procurement.”

In the next 12 months ACFO will be looking to further broaden its membership, continue its regional briefing meetings and is currently planning an exciting fleet manager issue-based seminar programme. ACFO seminars have proved extremely popular in recent years with each attracting audiences of significantly more than 100 delegates.

It is anticipated that future seminars will be held in autumn 2016 and spring 2017 with the former focusing on “the drive for mobility and the future role of the fleet manager”.

Additionally, ACFO is looking to publish best practice and advice guidance for fleet managers on two key issues - managing parking fines incurred on private land and end-of-contract vehicle damage charges levied by contract hire and leasing companies on cars and vans.

The information will be published following ACFO debates held in the last 12 months highlighting both as contentious issues faced by fleet managers.