Fleet decision-makers will have an unprecedented opportunity to learn from their peers at Fleet Management Live (FML) in a new Fleet Advice Centre run by members of the FML advisory board.

Five leading fleet managers, including Alison Moriarty, fleet risk and compliance manager at Skanska, Stewart Lightbody, head of fleet services at Anglian Water and Dale Eynon, director Defra Group Fleet Services, have agreed to give up their time to offer free one-to-one consultations to organisations running vehicle fleets about issues they are facing.

The advisors have a combined 76 years’ experience in fleet, with expertise in everything from safety innovations, tenders and fleet mergers, to environmental initiatives and managing difficult drivers. They are all members of the FML advisory board and have played a crucial role in shaping the content for this year’s event, which takes place at Birmingham NEC on October 3-4.

The Fleet Advice Centre will be a dedicated zone open to managers working in every area of fleet management, from fleet departments to procurement, HR and finance. Visitors will be able to book an appointment on the day at the reception desk for a free 30-minute meeting with a leading fleet professional.

Stewart Lightbody said: “In the interest of raising awareness and supporting the wider fleet manager community, I was more than happy to volunteer for the ‘Ask the Expert’ zone. If I can share my fleet experiences with anyone and they can leave feeling better informed or at least not out on a limb with no support, then I think it will be time well spent.”

Dale Eynon added: “The big challenges facing fleet managers may often seem overwhelming and daunting, particularly if you are a relative newcomer to the industry. The ‘Ask the Expert’ zone will allow fleet managers and their teams to ask for and get impartial advice on any issue they are struggling with, or they can simply use the experts to bounce ideas off to see if they are on the right track – all in an informal and open environment.”

So far, more than 600 fleet and transport managers have registered to attend Fleet Management Live, up 20% on the same time last year, including almost half of the UK’s 200 biggest fleet operators. Organisations signed up are responsible for procurement and managing almost 400,000 cars and 300,000 light commercial vehicles.

In addition, the number of HR, procurement and finance managers with fleet responsibilities has more than doubled, exemplifying the trend towards a broader decision-making unit within many organisations, including outsourcing day-to-day management to leasing or fleet consultancy companies. 

Fleets attending FML2017 will have the opportunity to learn from industry experts in nine best practice seminars – including funding, telematics and risk management – and hold in-depth conversations with more than 100 exhibitors at the UK’s biggest fleet management event.

Nine of the FN50 top 10 leasing companies – and 18 funders overall – will be exhibiting, offering advice on a range of topics, including total cost of ownership methodology, how the new rules on the Optional Remuneration Arrangement affect cash allowance and salary sacrifice, and residual value forecasting. 

For more on Fleet Management Live, click here.

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