Keith Wilson, fleet manager at Northumbria Police, has become the new chairman of the National Association of Police Fleet Managers (NAPFM).
Wilson, who has been vice-chairman since 2011, succeeds Richard Flint, who would have normally stepped down last year after his two-year tenure, but due to personnel changes remained in post for a further year.
The new vice-chairman is Dennis Ord, fleet manager for Sussex Police.
Wilson told Fleet News that he aimed to “continue the work required to create standard police vehicles throughout the country, so that forces can reap the benefits of cheaper procurement and increased interoperability”.
He added: “I also want to ensure that NAPFM continues to thrive despite the current round of financial cuts and public service austerity, so that police officers continue to receive professional fleet-related advice that contributes to the delivery of high quality frontline policing.”
In addition, Wilson is keen to further strengthen links between blue light services and professional partners, such as the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Government Procurement Service.
“I want to continue the development of NAPFM as a professional body, offering support and shared best practice to all police fleet managers,” he said.
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Gareth has more than 20 years’ experience as a journalist having started his career in local newspapers in the 1990s. Prior to joining Fleet News in 2008, he worked in the public sector as a media advisor and is currently news editor at Fleet News.
John Gooderham - 23/03/2013 09:28
It is about time the Government and Public Authorities became more patriotic and assisted British businesses and jobs. The British Government say they are always trying to encourage people to find work, if the Government purchased vehicles made in Britain instead of rarely buying British it would provide many jobs. One glaring example highly illustrated, is the use of foreign built vehicles operated by the Police forces in Britain. In Germany for example, the Police use German vehicles, similarly in France, Italy and Spain, Police and Public Authorities operate vehicles manufactured in their respective countries, so why do the British police have to drive foreign vehicles? The new Jaguar and Land Rover range of vehicles are more than a match for comparable foreign makes . Certain models of Nissan, Vauxhall and the Mini are made in Britain, they may well be suitable in many circumstances. Although Ford car production is virtually nonexistent in Britain, they do have an engine Research and Development Centre in Britain with the engines manufactured in Britain. Triumph make superb motorbikes so why buy a foreign motorbike unless it is to keep Germans in employment so they can bail out Spain. I was amazed that the National Police Improvement Agency was spending about £83 million on foreign vehicles, spending that sort of money in Britain would provide 1,000's of British jobs and reduce our countries deficit. The police driving around in foreign vehicles provide a brilliant free advert for foreign manufacturers, keeping their workers employed to the detriment of British workers. If other E.U. countries can operate vehicles made in their country, surely we can procure British made vehicles for use by Government and Public Authorities in Britain by using the same procurement arguments that other countries utilise, it's not as if we do not manufacture suitable vehicles. Regards John Gooderham Kinard House Steeple Road Latchingdon Essex CM3 6JX ________________________________________