FORMER Fleet News award winner Peter Corder has left his position as head of transport services with Suffolk Constabulary after nearly 27 years in the industry. A well-known figure in fleet, Corder now plans to work from home offering advice to small businesses in Ipswich and the surrounding area - that is, after he visits the US in February.

Corder was awarded the Fleet News Special Award in 1993 and Fleet Manager of the Year - Medium Fleets in 1996, and marks them as the high points of his career. He was presented with his 1993 award in recognition of his work with the National Association of Police Fleet Managers (NAPFM). As the association's chairman Corder was behind a major move that saved the force fleet industry millions of pounds.

'During the mid-1980's local police forces bought from local tender,' he said. 'But the NAPFM worked towards a common specification.' In 1992, he saw the fruits of his labour ripen as the first purchases began to be made directly from the manufacturers. The second Fleet News award came in 1996 when Corder was presented with the Fleet Manager of the Year award - Medium Fleets in recognition of his work with Suffolk Constabulary.

Corder arrived at Suffolk Constabulary in 1974, taking control of 225 all-petrol vehicles. The fleet now numbers 380 vehicles, 60% of which are diesels. Such a large number of diesel vehicles allowed Corder to develop fuel bunkering - a move that paid dividends when the fuel crisis took hold. He said the biggest change he had seen in the industry was the change in vehicle reliability.

His biggest fear is that the industry will be lead by cost cutting and fleets will downsize too far. 'Employers must provide the right car for the job,' he said, 'no matter what the cost. Cost must be balanced with quality.' Martyn Cook, Suffolk Constabulary's transport services manager, is currently looking after the force's fleets.