The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) will open up its membership to fleet operators from January 2019.

Jay Parmar, director of policy and membership at the BVRLA, made the announcement yesterday (Thursday, September 20) at the annual Fleet Industry Forum, organised by BT Fleet Solutions.

He told delegates that having met with fleet decision-makers, while discussing plans for clean air zones with local authorities, the BVRLA could ensure fleet views are heard at the highest level of Government.

“We think we can make that voice louder,” said Parmar. “I can go in and speak to Jesse Norman (transport minister) and tell him about the challenges fleets face, but if I’ve got a large operator sitting next to me talking about the millions of pounds they’re investing, and what local authorities need to be thinking about, that will cut through even more loudly.”

The BVRLA was established in 1967 as the UK trade body for companies engaged in vehicle rental, leasing and fleet management.

It represents more than 900 organisations, working with governments, public sector agencies, industry associations, consumer groups and other stakeholders across a wide range of road transport, environmental, taxation, technology and finance-related issues.

BVRLA members are responsible for a combined fleet of almost five million cars, vans and trucks on UK roads - one-in-eight cars, one-in-five vans and one-in-five trucks.

Parmar continued: “It’s really important that we collaborate, that’s why we’re opening up this new category of membership to really give fleet operators access and influence, because we know this sector needs a louder voice.”

However, it is unclear how this invite to fleet operators to join the BVRLA’s ranks will impact ACFO, the existing trade body for fleet decision-makers.

Established more than 40 years ago, ACFO’s membership includes most of Britain’s major fleets as well as those drawn from the SME sector.

For more on this story, see the October 4th edition of Fleet News.

 

 

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