FLEET decision-makers, Government ministers, suppliers and industry experts – these are the people who will affect the shape of the fleet industry of the next decade.

But among the tens of thousands of people who work in fleet every day, who will have the most impact when it comes to the future shape of the market?

The Fleet News Power List 2004 gives a unique insight into the industry figures who will make a difference in the future.

We have listed the 50 most powerful influencers in the fleet industry, whose decisions can affect the lives of executives in charge of fleets, whether they are fleet managers, transport managers, human resources executives, accountants, finance directors, managing directors or chief executives.

Compiled by Fleet News staff, who are themselves exempt from the list, it includes anyone who can have an impact on the fleet car and van industry.

  • If you have a view on this year's Power List or think someone else should have been included, then email john.maslen@emap.com to register your view

    1 Gordon Brown
    Chancellor of the Exchequer
    Top of the food chain when it comes to influencing the fleet industry. Not only has a direct effect on company car tax but all other areas of taxation and finance as well

    2. Alistair Darling
    Transport Secretary, Department for Transport
    Transport is firmly on the agenda, thanks to congestion charging, car tax and road tolls. Has promised to take a radical look at encouraging car sharing and alternative transport

    3 Tony Leigh
    Chairman, Association of Car Fleet Operators
    Heads up the leading industry association with hundreds of members. As such, he represents the views of a large number of the UK's fleet decision-makers and suggests new strategies

    4 Stewart Whyte
    Director, Association of Car Fleet Operators
    Leading industry opinion former with vital contacts at all levels of Government and industry. In addition to his ACFO duties,Whyte runs his own fleet consultancy and is the Fleet News 'agony aunt'

    5 David Jamieson
    Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport
    Responsible for roads, road safety, cleaner vehicles and fuels, all of which can have a major impact on fleets, as the current focus on health and safety has shown this year

    6 John Lewis
    Director general, British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Assn
    Powerful industry organisation accounting for more than half of the fleet vehicles sold each year. Forms a strong lobbying force in Government and in Europe

    7 Mervyn King
    Governor of the Bank of England and Chairman of the Monetary Policy Committee
    Sets interest rates that define how much fleets cost to finance and run. Has already warned about potential rate increases in the near future

    8 Mike Betts
    Chief executive, Motability Operations
    Heads up the biggest fleet in Europe, with more than 400,000 vehicles. Motability runs its own disposal operation, so policy changes here can affect the whole market

    9 Carolyn Howes
    Policy adviser, Inland Revenue
    Where the ideas for the future of company car tax take shape. Work has included recent changes to taxation of fleet vans and review of impact of carbon dioxide-based company car tax

    10 Christopher Macgowan
    Chief executive, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders
    LEADING industry figure taking views of the motor industry right to the heart of Government. Heads up key lobbying organisation that benefits manufacturers and drivers alike

    11 Loyola De Palacio
    EU Commission vice-president (Transport)
    EC rules and regulations are changing the lives of fleet drivers and operators in Britain

    12 The drivers
    Increasingly being given the power to choose their vehicles and set their own terms. An immense challenge for any fleet manager

    13 Les Philpott
    Head of civil contingencies, special sections division policy group, Health and Safety Executive
    Figure behind the current focus on fleet safety. Instrumental in creating work-related road safety task group

    14 Digby Jones
    Director general, Confederation of British Industry
    Voice of British industry campaigning for Government support, including recent call for a multi-billion increase in investment in the country's road network

    15 Richard Brunstrom
    Chief constable for North Wales, head of business area for road policing
    Controversial figure, but has set the agenda for police treatment of fleets following accidents involving drivers

    16 Janet Entwistle
    BT head of fleet
    Leading one of the most high-profile fleets in the country, pushing forward best practice, getting more from suppliers and Government

    17 Stan Ayling OBE
    Commercial operations director, Inland Revenue
    Managing budgets running into billions of pounds, including fleet operations and influencing policy at Government level

    18 Jeff Knight
    Editor New Car Monitor, CAP Motor Research
    Key industry guide that can make or break a new car with analysis of residual values and running costs

    19 Adrian Rushmore
    Editor, Glass's Guide
    Putting a pounds and pence value on the cars fleets run, influencing choice lists when running costs are compared

    20 Tom Madden
    Chairman, Institute of Car Fleet Management
    Prodigious campaigner for formal training in the fleet industry and for recognition of the fleet manager's importance within companies

    21 Professor Garel Rhys OBE
    Director, Centre for Automotive Industry Research at Cardiff Business School
    Globally respected industry expert, whose views can influence Government and supplier policies
    22 Kevin Clinton
    Head of road safety, Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
    Vigorous and high profile campaigner for better fleet safety standards. Behind ground-breaking research showing focus on fleet safety

    23 Jon Olsen
    Chief executive, British Car Auctions
    Heads up one of the most influential businesses in the remarketing sector with eyes set on European expansion and new ways to boost residual values

    24 Maurice Howkins
    Fleet sales director, Vauxhall
    Britain's biggest fleet manufacturer. Changes in supply and policy can drive major changes in market

    25 John Bailey
    Chief executive, Manheim Europe
    Pushing boundaries of remarketing and creating intense competition in business to turn fleet cars into cash

    26 Nigel Stead
    Managing director, Lloyds TSB autolease
    Responsible for the biggest contract hire fleet in the UK, setting benchmarks for pricing and residual values

    27 Brian Back
    Chairman, British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association
    One of the best-known figures in the leasing industry, hugely respected opinion-former

    28 John Leigh
    Senior vice-president UK, National Car Rental
    Buying and selling power can have a significant affect on residual values, while new services could change fleet buying patterns

    29 Vince Kinner
    Head of fleet, Volkswagen
    FLEET News Award winner for three years running and a range of cars with class-leading residuals mean real clout in the fleet market

    30 John Webb
    National fleet manager, HM Customs & Excise and chairman Government Fleet Managers' Network
    Influential body helping form policy among some of Britain's biggest fleet buyers

    31 Marcus Puddy
    Fleet manager, Lloyds TSB
    With 6,500 cars and 68,500 employees who regularly drive company vehicles, his decisions can make fleet suppliers listen

    32 Kevin Griffin
    Director, fleet operations, Ford
    Heads up fleet sales at Britain's biggest car seller. Benchmark for pricing and residual values among rivals

    33 Neil Cunningham
    General manager, Hertz UK
    Global brand with massive buying power which can influence shape of car market through buying policy

    34 John Dawson
    Director, AA Motoring Trust
    Influential, unbiased and constantly campaigning and researching on issues that matter to fleets and road users. Voice that can make a difference in the corridors of power

    35 Ken Livingstone
    Mayor of London
    Huge impact on fleets in the London area with his launch of congestion charging and he isn't finished yet

    36 Professor Peter Cooke
    Automotive industries management, Nottingham Business School
    Behind many of the influential reports that form opinion in the fleet industry

    37 Tony Blair
    Prime Minister
    Has final say in economic, social and foreign policy decisions, which affect every aspect of a fleet manager's life, from the price of fuel through to interest rates and jobs

    38 Edmund King
    Executive director, RAC Foundation
    Funds vital research that is read by both Government and industry experts, while campaigning on a wide range of relevant issues within the fleet arena

    39 Mike Taylor
    Senior transport buyer, NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency Pioneering
    High-tech purchasing and proving how successful it can be for any fleet

    40 Jon Walden
    Managing director, Lex Vehicle Leasing
    One of the most high-profile figures in the leasing industry. Driving forward a major change in leasing industry players, as major rivals outsource work to his firm

    41 Michael White
    Managing director, Avis Rent-a-Car UK
    Changing the shape of vehicle rental, with growing network of city car clubs, making their mark in the corridors of power as well as among fleets

    42 Kevin McNally
    Managing director, LeasePlan
    Part of one of the world's biggest leasing companies and now a division of the Volkswagen Group

    43 Keith Hawes
    Fleet director, Renault
    Driving technology, safety and design in the fleet market, while keeping prices at their most competitive in years

    44 Steve Harris
    Fleet director, Peugeot
    Key contender in the top four, setting benchmark for pricing and residual values, swaying market with strong diesel offering

    45 Phil Redman
    Fleet manager, IBM
    A Fleet News award winner and key influencer with ACFO and chair of one of its regions, Redman manages a large fleet with huge buying power

    46 Fred Maguire
    President, Retail Motor Industry Federation
    Strong views on customer standards and aftersales that can have an impact on how fleets are treated. He is focused on retaining aftersales business through customer service

    47 Tod Evans
    Chairman, PSA UK
    Influence to bring wide range of Whitehall figures together to explain key arguments about fuels, getting right to the heart of Government

    48 Mary Williams OBE
    Director, Brake
    Growing voice of influence pushing for better safety standards among fleet operators

    49 Richard Tarboton
    Head of EST, TransportEnergy
    With millions of pounds to give away in green grants every year, he can have a direct impact on the approach many fleets take to alternative fuels

    50 Tim Parker
    Chairman, Kwik-Fit CREATING a pricing and service benchmark as part of major revamp of company, with ambitious plans for the future, centred around providing value for current owners wanting return on investment

  • Subscribe to Fleet News.
  • Get the news delivered to your desktop