Fleet News is saddened to learn of the passing of Val South.
A hugely respected fleet manager, Val started her career with Xerox in 1979 and stayed with the company for more than 40 years.
She was recognised as the Fleet News Fleet Manager of the Year in 2011, and it was a tribute to her geniality, hard graft and professionalism that, when Fleet News visited her the following week, her shelves and walls were overflowing with congratulatory cards, messages of goodwill and flowers.
In 2014, Val was inducted into the Fleet News Hall of Fame, at the time just the second woman to do so. The citation referenced her incredible knowledge and her willingness to give time and experience to many generations of new fleet managers.
She featured three times in Fleet News profiles and played a key role during the 2012 London Olympics, lending her leadership skills as a volunteer team leader.
Our sincere condolences go to Val’s friends and family. She will be missed.
Her daughter Kate South has set up a Just Giving page for Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity where Val received care in the last few days and weeks.
On the page, Kate said: “The care team from the Florence Nightingale hospice were incredible and during the last few days gave Mum unconditional care. This type of care and support is so important, not just for the individual but also for the surrounding family.”
Paul Hollick, chair of the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP), said: “We’re very sad at the Association of Fleet Professionals to hear of the passing of Val South.
“She was the very definition of a stalwart in the fleet industry, starting her career with Xerox in 1979 and staying with the company for more than 40 years.
“Val had a reputation for remaining calm under pressure, perhaps the number one attribute for anyone working in the sector, and gave her time and experience to many younger generations of fleet managers.
“Our sincere condolences go to Val’s friends and family. She will be missed.”
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Bauer B2B group editor Stephen Briers has been an automotive business journalist since 1995. He has been editor of Fleet News since 2009 and before that was editor of Automotive Management for almost seven years. He now oversees both brands, as well as RAIL magazine.
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