The recent Dial Contracts survey revealed fleet decisions were usually taken by financial directors, personnel directors and managing directors (Fleet News July 12). Decisions involving fleet funding and company car policies were made by fleet managers in only 17% of cases.

Tom Madden, chairman of the Institute of Car Fleet Management, said: 'Senior managers can make the final decisions providing they are based on well documented, well researched fleet practices and based on submissions from qualified and knowledgeable fleet managers. It is essential fleet managers are trained.' Stewart Whyte, director of the Association of Car Fleet Operators, said: 'The fleet operator must recognise the real importance of fleet operations to the business and must be prepared to resource the fleet office properly. Many fleet managers need to recognise the opportunities this will present to promote new ideas, better systems and potential for their own career development.'

Further information revealed by Dial Contracts shows 34% of people responsible for managing car fleets are not involved in setting car policy and 19% of people responsible for managing the fleet were not involved in choosing suppliers. This shows fleet managers only come into their own in terms of ordering cars and negotiating their supply (62%) and day-to-day administration (77%).