ACFO stalwart Caroline Sandall is stepping down as co-chair from the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP), created earlier this year through the merger of ACFO and ICFM.

Caroline Sandall has been involved with ACFO for more than 20 years

It means Paul Hollick, former ICFM chair and AFP co-chair, now assumes the role of chair at the AFP, which was founded to bring “increased voice through combined strength”.

Sandall has been involved in ACFO for more than 20 years and has held a variety of positions including regional officer, director and vice-chair, before being appointed as ACFO chair some 12 months ago.

Sandall said the decision to stand down from the AFP as co-chair had been driven by personal circumstances.

“Like many people during lockdown, I’ve been taking a look at my work–life balance and decided that some changes were perhaps overdue in terms of reducing my commitments to focus on some key aspects of my career and home life.

“Also, having helped to oversee the creation of the AFP, now seemed like a good time to step back in order to enable some other people take centre stage. The expertise that exists within the new organisation is considerable, and I am leaving it in very good hands.”

She added: “I have enjoyed my time with both ACFO and the AFP tremendously. The fleet sector is vibrant and creative sector full of people who are capable, talented and simply nice. I very much intend to remain involved available in a support role when needed.”

Paul Hollick paid tribute to Sandall for the service given to the industry as part of the AFP and ACFO over many years and said she could lay claim, as much as anyone, to being responsible for the creation of the AFP.

Hollick added that the AFP has been very quickly gathering momentum since its launch in March.

Already, the association has spearheaded its online fleet training, driven in part by the lockdown, and implemented online membership on its new website.

It’s also launched new committees, including one for electric vehicles, appointed corporate members and announced details of its first webinar, covering the impact of coronavirus on fleets.

Hollick added: “We are looking forward to unveiling further plans for the organisation in the near future.”