AFP becomes powerful lobbying force for fleet industry

Just three years after it was first launched, members of the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP) have helped the organisation become the “most significant” professional voice in the fleet sector.

That’s according to the AFP’s chair, Paul Hollick, who told delegates at the organisation’s annual conference yesterday (Wednesday, May 17) that it had become established as a powerful lobbying voice.

The trade and training body was formed from the merger of the Association of Car Fleet Operators (ACFO) and the Institute of Car Fleet Management (ICFM) in 2020.

Hollick said: “The AFP emerged at almost exactly the same time as the pandemic and in a sense, that meant we had to hit the ground running in terms of the support offered to our members working through unprecedented conditions.

“There was a huge sharing of experience and advice and as a result, our organisation started with great momentum that has been very much maintained.

“By working together we have achieved a lot in a short time, from significant results on benefit-in-kind taxation and the creation of a national EV charging database, through to the launch of the AFP Academy and our wide-ranging sub-committees providing advice in many key areas of fleet management.

“The latter are especially important when it comes to proactively tackling the issues our members face and sharing best practice.”

Hollick explained that the AFP was pleased to be able to partner with other leading bodies to achieve our aims. But he added: “When it comes to fleet management and keeping UK PLC’s cars and vans moving on the nation’s roads, we can credibly claim to be the industry’s most significant voice.

“Our members can be proud of what we have all achieved by working together.”

The AFP is carrying out new enhancements to its charging database, pushing for the creation of a charging infrastructure czar, working towards further improvements to the advisory electricity rate (AER) and providing new training in areas such as diversity and inclusion.

Practical advice for fleets

The conference, which took place at The British Motor Museum, Gaydon, focused on practical advice for fleets facing a range of current issues.

Sessions took the form of panel discussions with leading fleet managers chaired by AFP board members.

These covered topics including handling supply matters, dealing with the rising costs of leasing and rental, managing an aged fleet, reimbursing drivers of electric vehicles, and optimising van fleets while gearing up for electrification.

There was also a live training exercise designed to show how to engage stakeholders with future fleet policy.

Hollick said: “While this is just the second AFP annual conference, it already feels like a well-established part of the fleet calendar.

“The fact that we are able to attract 300 members to this conference is a clear indication of the role that we play for our sector in helping fleet managers to meet the challenges they are facing head-on.

“The event’s ethos of providing nuts-and-bolts guidance on current issues is very much based on a need expressed by many fleet managers to access practical guidance that can have a direct effect on the day-to-day issues they are encountering.

“We wanted delegates to leave with ideas they can put straight into action – and seeing members walk away with pages of notes along with the feedback that we are receiving suggests that the conference has very much achieved that aim.”

The event was also used as an opportunity to present certificates to fleet managers who had completed AFP Academy training courses, with Dean Smith of Rydon being named the AFP’s Strategic Award Winner for outstanding work during his fleet vehicle management course.

Paul also paid tribute to the AFP’s first training manager, Steve Hook, who died earlier this year. Hook had worked with the ICFM since 1992, retiring in 2021.

“Steve was both a friend and an individual who played a huge part in enhancing the abilities of many fleet managers – coaching, training and developing more than 2,000 professionals,” said Hollick.

“He made a genuine contribution to our industry and his legacy will be felt for many years to come. He is very much missed.”