Unprecedented changes means that businesses who axe fleet managers are doing so at their peril, warns FleetLocum.

Tony Donnelly, chief executive of Goodwood Corporate Mobility, parent company of FleetLocum, which provides organisations with fleet or mobility decision-makers on a temporary basis, said challenges in 2019 include Brexit, WLTP and the announcement of benefit-in-kind tax rates post 2020/21.

He said: “While employers have been very quick to axe the job of fleet manager and outsource management, they may consider that in a time of unprecedented industry change that in-house knowledge and experience is critical.

“The myriad of legislation and how it impacts on fleet strategy and policies should be top of corporate agendas.”

Donnelly added: “Many UK organisations are struggling to implement vehicle policy and procedure changes because they do not have the required in-house professional fleet management expertise.

“Company car choice lists must be reviewed and amended in the light of models now compliant with WLTP emissions testing and businesses must prepare for the announcement of the new company car benefit-in-kind tax regime following completion of the government’s current review.

“The current lack of clarity around benefit-in-kind tax and WLTP means that some employees are giving up their company car and switching to a cash alternative, which then triggers a raft of duty of care compliance issues for employers that must be taken seriously.

“Additionally, as we await the final Brexit agreement, there is the reality that a ‘no-deal’ will mean additional documentation is required for employees driving in Europe and hiring vehicles on the continent.

“Amid all that change it is, I believe, vital that an experienced fleet decision-maker is driving organisations’ vehicle operations.

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