Dale Eynon has been appointed government affairs and policy lead at the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP).
The new role will include managing relationships and communications with politicians, civil servants, and other decision makers and influencers.
A well-known and widely respected figure in the fleet sector, Dale spent 20 years working at the Environment Agency, part of the Department for Food, Agriculture and Rural Affairs (Defra), rising to director of Defra Group Fleet Services before becoming an independent consultant last year.
Paul Hollick, chair at the AFP, said: “We live in an era when government policy has a direct impact on fleet operations at almost every level on a daily basis. This is especially true of net zero emissions but also includes areas as diverse as road safety and taxation.
“While the AFP already speaks regularly to the government and has good relationships with several key contacts, now seems very much like the moment to move our activities up a gear and ensure that our opinions are clearly heard by the right people at the right time.
“Dale’s appointment will be central to making that happen. He has the ideal combination of fleet industry and Westminster experience to campaign for our ideas and concerns in a dynamic and effective manner.”
Dale said: “The AFP has become established as the leading voice of the fleet sector since its formation in 2020. My job will very much be to act as a bridge between its members and Westminster, and I’m looking forward to promoting their needs at the highest level.
“As widely recognised, the influence of the government on how fleets operate is probably more acute today than ever before. There is an absolute need to keep abreast of the latest thinking of those creating policies and to make our thoughts heard.”
Initial activity planned by Dale includes an inaugural AFP parliamentary event at the House of Commons followed by a reception to launch the latest version of the organisation’s annual Tax and Regulation Manifesto.
He will also liaise extensively with the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles, represent the AFP at parliamentary select committees and All-Party Parliamentary Groups, and coordinate with the Treasury on taxation issues.
Dale said: “The aim for 2026 is to build a lobbying structure that telegraphs fleet industry concerns to the government to take in account when constructing policy, while securing advocates who recognise the importance of our sector to both the requirements of businesses and the delivery of public services right across the UK.
“The bottom line is that we want to make a real difference to future government decisions affecting fleets.”
