FLEET managers face one of the biggest threats yet to their future and could find themselves on the dole queue unless they get trained, adapt and get to work. In a series of hard-hitting predictions, high profile industry figures told the Fleet News Budget Briefing that change was the only option.

The panel included Professor Peter Cooke, head of the Centre for Automotive Industries Management at Nottingham Business School, and Stewart Whyte, director of the Association of Car Fleet Operators.

Cooke warned: 'There is a huge change in role for the fleet executive. People are looking much more carefully at the company car. 'There should be a future fleet role checklist - nominate a single person to deal with personal mobility strategy.'

His comments were backed by Simon Richmond, managing director of ACL autolease, who said: 'If drivers are not given accurate guidance, then fleet managers could be on fairly thin ice.' Whyte said: 'If you don't look at your fleet now, you are living in fool's paradise.'