This year’s Institute of Car Fleet Management (ICFM) Annual National Members’ Conference will explore how tomorrow’s company cars will further help to reduce fleet operating costs and improve road safety.

Paul Hollick, ICFM chairman, says this year’s conference will offer an insight into how technology can aid fleets

Hosted at the MINI Plant Oxford on Tuesday 8 November, the event will see experts from headline sponsor BMW and, it is hoped, the Transport Research Laboratory-led GATEway (Greenwich Automated Transport Environment) driverless car project provide an insight into the future.

The ICFM conference will also see board member Martin Evans, managing director of Jaama; Nick Walker, managing director telematics at RAC, a conference co-sponsor; and Jay Parmar, director of policy and membership at the BVRLA, join a question and answer panel discussion that will address issues around:

• Data protection, cyber security and regulatory change challenges for fleets from the drive towards autonomous vehicles
• The game-changing role telematics can play in managing fleet costs and improving occupational road risk management
• The role of cutting-edge vehicle and driver management software in operating a cost-effective and safe fleet.

In addition, as managing the UK’s ‘grey fleet’ continues to be a major challenge for many employers, the Energy Saving Trust, which recently produced a report on the issue for the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA), will outline measures that can be taken to cut the multi-billion pound cost of ‘grey fleet’ mileage in cars that are older, more polluting and potentially more dangerous than company-provided vehicles.

Additional special guest speakers are:

• Jacob Neil, chief UK economist at investment bank Morgan Stanley, who will focus on the economy and Brexit and the impact on business
• Paul McGinley, professional golfer and TV commentator, who captained the European team when winning golf’s Ryder Cup in 2014
• Dame Sarah Storey, British road and track racing cyclist and former swimmer and history-making multiple gold medal winner at the Paralympic Games in both sports
• Andrew Cotter, BBC TV and radio sports commentator, who will facilitate the Conference.

ICFM chairman Paul Hollick said: “The fleet industry is rapidly evolving and technology is driving that change in all areas of operation. This year’s conference will provide delegates with detailed insight into future fleet management trends and how they can embrace sophisticated solutions to further reduce costs and improve the safety of their car and commercial vehicle operations.”