ACFO and the ICFM have merged operations to create the Association of Fleet Professionals, which aims to give fleet decision-makers ‘increased voice through combined strength’.
The fleet representative group and the fleet training body also hope that the merger will cater for those with fleet responsibility working in HR, finance and procurement roles and the fast-emerging mobility function.
The Association of Fleet Professionals will oversee fleet training through a newly established Fleet Academy. The board of the Association of Fleet Professionals will comprise: Caroline Sandall, current ACFO national chair; Paul Hollick, current ICFM chairman; Stewart Lightbody, current ACFO deputy chairman; and Peter Eldridge, current sales and marketing director of ICFM.
Caroline Sandall, ACFO national chair, said: “We believe that both organisations are two sides to the same coin and will deliver an increased fleet industry voice through their combined strength. Bringing both together creates a true fleet body for the industry - giving fleet operators a true voice via the lobbying of ACFO with the training and education of the ICFM. The combined Association of Fleet Professionals unites the two organisations in both structure and leadership teams.”
Paul Hollick, ICFM chairman added: “Both organisations have been in active dialogue for a few years on this topic and now is definitely the best time to join forces. As the fleet industry is going through significant challenges with changing legislation, tax regulations, new technologies and clean air zones, the merger seems to be a great time for the ACFO team to focus on the fleet manager’s voice within Westminster, Whitehall and UK cities, while the ICFM team can then devote its time of being a true fleet academy to educate and develop the current and future leaders within fleet and those coming into fleet from other areas of business.
“Both organisations are well run and organised for a sustainable future. That said, a united Association brings more resilience and scale that can improve the lobbying and training needs of members of both organisations, now and in the future.”
