According to a Fleet News online survey fleet managers are overwhelmingly positive about the future.

The survey, which asked whether respondents believed there would be more fleet managers in 2010 than there are today, showed that 70% believed fleet manager numbers will rise over the next two years.

Their sentiments are backed up by a recent GE Capital Solutions report, which stated that while the decline in fleet manager numbers is still evident, the rate of decline has slowed dramatically over the past 12 months.

This slowdown is attributed to the recent growth in company car provision and the need to ensure duty of care obligations and environmental concerns are met – tasks that mean for many companies a fleet manager is needed now more than ever before.

“There has been a gradual erosion dating back more than a decade of mainstream company car business. But there are strong indications the tide is turning,” said Colin Bruder, MD of Network Automotive.

“Because of their growing risk management responsibilities and general concern over green issues, employers are growing nervous about cash for car and ECO schemes.”

Ken Moncrieff, head of procurement at Thus Plc, agrees fleet manager numbers will increase as a result: “As more legislation focussing on the fleet arena and even wider driving on business, then companies must take more serious recognition of the corporate risks involved.

In addition the increasing focus on environmental issues is not going to go away, and hence costs shall only rise if full professional management is not charged with the fleet/travel arena.”

Jim McIlroy, transport manager at the NHS in Fife, had this to say about the trend of charging outside companies to manage fleet operations. “Outsourcing will become expensive, and company bosses will still face prosecution. Better hands on.”

However, despite the vast majority of respondents believing fleet manager numbers will increase, 30% felt otherwise.

Kate Somma, fleet manager at Redstone Converged Solutions: “More and more employees appear to be opting out of company car schemes (due to the tax implications and expense of owning a company car),” she said.

“The company car is becoming less of a benefit. Many companies I believe are making cash alternatives schemes more attractive so they can move away from the company car and the increased onus being put on the company by government bodies.”