Additionally, Caroline Sandall, who has 19 years fleet decision-maker experience and has been fleet manager at Barclays Bank for more than nine years, was unanimously elected to continue as deputy chairman for a further 12 months. 

Pryor, who has been in charge of the fleet at Arcadia Group for 25 years and been an ACFO member for 16 years, takes over the chairmanship from Damian James, who stepped down as both chairman and as a director of ACFO at this week’s AGM. 

The move comes as James, previously head of operations at Bracknell Forest Council, which included fleet responsibility, takes on a new role as head of performance and resources at the authority, with no further fleet involvement.

Pryor, deputy chairman of ACFO’s London West Region and first elected to the ACFO board in 2006, said: ‘I am delighted to become ACFO’s chairman. It is vital for me and other people who have fleet responsibility to be able to discuss key issues with like-minded colleagues who collectively have a wealth of knowledge and experience. 

‘In organisations the job of the fleet manager can often be a lonely existence as fellow employees do not have practical knowledge or experience relating to managing vehicles. Therefore, ACFO fulfils a fundamental role in enabling members to exchange ideas and information.’