Seven new corporate members join AFP in June as interest accelerates

Seven new corporate members joined the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP) in the first two weeks of June, as interest in the new industry body continues to grow.

The organisations were ALD Automotive, Cancer Research, Denbighshire County Council, Kettle Foods, Knowles Associates, Marshalls Leasing and TR Fleet.

The AFP says that as the fleet industry started to emerge from the coronavirus crisis, there had been a marked increase in enquiries from potential new members.

Paul Hollick, co-chair at the Association of Fleet Professionals, said: “While the reception to the creation of the AFP has been very positive, the emergence of coronavirus understandably slowed the pace of new organisations joining up. However, we are now starting to see new corporate members join who were neither part of ACFO nor the ICFM.

"Although the AFP is still very new, we see this development very much as a vindication of the thinking behind its formation. We are attracting interest from new parts of the industry because we can speak credibly with a single voice for the whole sector."

Details about the first of a new series of industry leading committees has also been announced by the AFP. 

The Electric Vehicle, Low Carbon and Alternative Fuels Committee will be led by AFP deputy chair, Stewart Lightbody and vice-chaired by Paul Hollick. It includes Denise Lane of Capita, Chris Joyce of the AFP, Steve Cuddy of Close Brothers, Eric Bristow of Schindler, Ken Needham of Foxtons, Simon King of Mitie, Dale Eynon of DEFRA and Lorna McAtear of National Grid. 

Its adopted mission statement is to "advise fleet operators how best they can make the transition from standard fuel types to electrification and other alternative fuels” with topics under consideration including: support from central and local government, and the treasury; home charging policies, employee reimbursement and usage; electric highway charging; best practice for EVs and PHEVs, and alternative fuel vehicles beyond EVs.

Stewart Lightbody, deputy chair at AFP said: "EVs, low carbon and alternative fuels are very much front-of-mind for fleets at the moment and we’re looking to generate industry-leading thought and discussion across a wide range of relevant areas where fleet managers are looking for guidance and information.
 
"The calibre of committee member we’ve been able to attract is very impressive and we’re planning to serve as an incubator for ideas that will ultimately affect not just fleet strategies but policy and action across manufacturers, government, the HMRC and the DVLA."

The Electric Vehicle, Low Carbon and Alternative Fuels Committee is the first of seven planned by the AFP, the others being Light Commercial Vehicles; COVID-19; Government Bodies and Trade Associations; Road Use and Planning; Risk and Compliance; and Future Mobility Steering.

The AFP was formed in March from the merging of the Association of Car Fleet Operators (ACFO) and the Institute of Car Fleet Management (ICFM).

Joining the AFP has been made easier with the launch of online membership applications through the organisation’s new website.

Hollick said: “The online facility makes joining the AFP a very easy process that can be completed in a matter of minutes.

"At a point in time such as the emergence from lockdown and its aftermath, when fleet expertise is vital for organisations who want to contain costs and improve efficiency, the support that we can provide is excellent value for money, we believe."

Depending on the corporate membership level chosen, a range of added value benefits are available including discounts on employee training, the ability to provide company information on the AFP website, and opportunities for corporate promotions during AFP webinars and other events.

He said that existing corporate members of ACFO were also gradually being moved over to the AFP as their memberships came up for renewal and current ICFM corporate members have been encouraged to upgrade their memberships to full AFP membership status.

Hollick said: "We are pleased to say that the overall reaction to the formation of the new organisation from longstanding supporters of both organisations has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic."