Fleet managers are becoming increasingly involved in board-level decisions and high-level strategic thinking, due to changing corporate priorities.

Eco priorities and an increased focus on cost control are highlighting the important role of the fleet department

The Association of Fleet Professionals said an increasing focus on cost control and environmental measures was elevating the fleet manager role within many organisations.

Paul Hollick, chair at the industry body, added that it was the result of a number of trends.

“The most visible is probably the environment. This is becoming an increasing priority for many organisations and fleet electrification is very much a central part of their future plans to become carbon-neutral or hit zero emissions targets over the next few years.

“This can be seen most obviously in the many businesses who use their livery to show they are using electric vans. The fleet is a visible signal of an organisation’s commitment to green issues and the fleet manager is playing a fundamental role in making that happen.”

But an increased focus on cost control and reduction was also highlighting the important role of the fleet department, Hollick continued.

“Arguably, you can draw a line here back to the pandemic. Lockdowns really brought home to many people – including senior management – the value of fleets, especially commercial vehicles. Fleet managers became directly involved in helping to keep the country running through a genuine crisis and this helped to increase their corporate presence.

“The heightened profile gained at that time means that the fleet has very much become part of future strategy and, as the economic situation worsens, AFP members are taking a leading role in cost control and reduction.”

And this is not just about cutbacks to control costs but involves finding new and innovative solutions to the fundamental task of moving people and goods around the country – and the AFP said there was a huge demand for in-house, strategic fleet management.

“It feels as though fleet managers are now being listened to in a manner that has rarely happened in the past,” Hollick outlined.

The AFP remains on hand throughout this shift to support fleet managers with resources and training designed to enhance confidence, generate influence and improve presentation skills.

“Many of our members working in corporate environments are highly skilled at their jobs but aren’t used to the spotlight. Today, part of our responsibility as their professional body is to help them adapt to a higher profile as a key element of general fleet upskilling and fleet department succession planning. We plan to offer effective assistance.”