A MILLENNIUM recruitment drive is being launched by the Institute of Car Fleet Management following the appointment of Peter Eldridge as its new secretary. Eldridge, a director of the Leatherhead-based Motorcare Group of Companies, takes over as secretary from ICFM founder and counsel member David Lee, who took the role temporarily following the retirement last year of Peter Moxon.

Eldridge said: 'There have been some changes at the counsel in the last year and there are some good new ideas. But we need to increase the membership and that is my main goal alongside getting the message across about the importance of fleet training.' Presently the Institute has about 700 members. However under half are currently involved on training courses. As a result the Institute, at last year's annual members' conference, launched a new fast-track training programme.

'Fast-track is crucial to increasing the membership, getting people on training courses and ensuring they achieve professionally recognised fleet qualifications,' said Eldridge. 'My aim is to get the Institute to break the 1,000 barrier. We are hovering around the 700 mark but by the end of 2000 I think we can be close to that figure or through that barrier.'