Winning a Fleet News Award trophy doesn’t come easy, but the effort is worth every moment when the envelope is opened, and your name is read out.

Winners enjoy a measurable improvement in business performance and credibility, while it can also raise staff motivation, studies show. 

It can even give a boost to individual careers, with several former Fleet News Awards winners getting promoted or headhunted for more senior positions. Award winners say it has helped them to acquire new talent and improve client relationships.

Shaun Atton described himself as “proud” and “over the moon” after the group fleet manager collected the most improved fleet of the year trophy for Auto Windscreens at last year’s Fleet News Awards. British Gas head of fleet Steve Winter, who collected the fleet of the year gong, said it was “a great reward for our fleet team”.

He added: “It demonstrated we are correct in our strategy and has given us the ability to forge ahead with our ambitious plans.”

Three-time winner Nigel Morris, electric vehicle & V2X integration manager at Active Building Centre, Swansea University (fleet champion, environmental fleet and travel/mobility initiative), said the recognition was “really, really important”.

It also gave him “a weapon to use” to get additional funding for future initiatives within the organisation, while the marketing team was able to get positive publicity in the local media.

It’s not just the winners who bask in the glory of the Fleet News Awards. Being shortlisted for a fleet category, for example, is about more than a pat on the back for the fleet decision-maker; it raises the profile of the company brand with existing and potential customers.

Organisations who can prove they take seriously their safety and environmental obligations to their vehicle fleets are ideally placed to retain customers and attract new business – these things really matter to consumers.

Time to enter

To enter the awards, head to the website now to register your interest: awards.fleetnews.co.uk

What it meant to winners to receive a Fleet News award

Nigel Morris, electric vehicle & V2X integration manager at Active Building Centre, Swansea University (fleet champion, environmental fleet and travel/mobility initiative): “Getting that level of recognition both personally and for your organisation, you can't underplay that - it is really, really important. Within an organisation you can sell that. You can pass that to your marketing team, and they can promote that in the media; it says that all our efforts have been recognised nationally.”

Steve Winter, head of fleet British Gas (fleet of the year 1001+): “For British Gas to be recognised by the judges for their efforts has been a great reward for our fleet team and within our business it has demonstrated we are correct in our strategy and has given us the ability to forge ahead with our ambitious plans.”

Matt Hammond, UK fleet and transport manager, Altrad Services (safe fleet of the year): “Winning the Safe Fleet award was an amazing honour and surprise for the whole of the Altrad Fleet team.

"To be acknowledged at such a prestigious and high profile event by both peers and industry professionals gave us the confirmation that all the hard work was paying off, as well as being seen to be setting a standard within the industry.”

Shaun Atton, Auto Windscreens group fleet manager (most improved fleet of the year), commented: “To say I’m over the moon with this accolade is an understatement! I’m so proud of the whole team involved.

"To have this recognised by this award is a fitting tribute to every single one of our technicians, who work so hard to keep everyone else on the road.”

David Peel, managing director of Peugeot UK, said: “We are all incredibly proud to have the all-new Peugeot 208 and 2008 SUV recognised in such high regard by Fleet News. Both models only went on sale in the UK this year, so it is great to see them off to such a great start.”

Stuart Ferma, general manager Toyota and Lexus Fleet, said: “We’re proud to once again be recognised by Fleet News for our green leadership in our fleet business.”

Louise Baker, head of fleet, Johnsons Fleet Services (dealer of the year): “There’s no greater recognition of a team’s success than winning a Fleet News Award. It’s important my staff’s contribution is recognised publicly and, as such, winning one was a career goal.”

6 reasons to enter the awards

1. Improved financial performance

2. Personal recognition; career enhancing

3. Get ahead of your competitors

4. A rise in employee engagement and motivation

5. Positive press coverage

6. Increased customer awareness

Awards timeline

Need more information? 

E: sandra.evitt@bauermedia.co.uk

T: 01733 468123.

Fleet News Awards 2021 categories (plus sponsors and 2020 winners)

Fleet Awards

Excellence in Fleet Safety

2020 winner: Altrad Services

Environmental Innovation - sponsored by Ogilvie Fleet
2020 winner: Active Building Centre - Swansea University

Mobility Achievement of the Year
2020 winner: Active Building Centre - Swansea University

Exceptional Contribution Award
New category recognising the fleet response to the Covid crisis

Fleet of the Year (up to 1,000 vehicles)
2020 winner: Eric Wright Group

Fleet of the Year (more than 1,000 vehicles)
2020 winner: British Gas

Supplier Awards

Leasing Company of the Year (up to 20,000 vehicles)
2020 winner: Ogilvie Fleet

Leasing Company of the Year (more than 20,000 vehicles)
2020 winner: Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions

Rental Company of the Year - sponsored by Grosvenor Vehicle Leasing
2020 winner: Enterprise

Outstanding product or service
New category

Fleet Customer Partnership Award
2020 winner: Fleet Service GB

Fleet Dealer of the Year
2020 winner: Johnsons Fleet Services

Innovation in Mobility Technology Award
2020 winner: Fleetondemand

Manufacturer Awards

Best Small Van
New category

Best Medium Van
New category

Best Large Van
New category

Rigid Truck of the Year (6-16 tonnes)
New category

Rigid Truck of the Year (more than 16 tonnes)
New category

Best Small Car
2020 winner: Peugeot 208 

Best Lower Medium Car
2020 winner: Ford Focus

Best Upper Medium Car
2020 winner: Skoda Superb

Best Compact SUV
2020 winner: Peugeot 2008

Best Mid-size SUV
2020 winner: Toyota Rav4

Best Compact Premium Car
2020 winner: BMW 1 Series

Best Premium Car
2020 winner: BMW 3 Series

Best Executive Car
2020 winner: BMW 5 Series

Best Zero Emission Van
New category

Best Plug-in Hybrid Car
New category

Best Zero Emission Car:
2020 winner: Kia e-Niro

Headline Awards

Fleet Supplier of the Year - sponsored by Aston Barclay
2020 winner: Reflex Vehicle Hire

Fleet Manufacturer of the Year – Car (Reader voted)
2020 winner: BMW Group UK

Fleet Manufacturer of the Year – Van (Reader voted)
New category

Fleet Manufacturer of the Year – Truck (Reader voted)
New category

Fleet Manager of the Year
2020 winner: Stewart Taylor, Police Scotland

Fleet News Hall of Fame - sponsored by The AA
2020 winner: Liz Hollands

Judging panel

Chairman: Christopher Macgowan OBE
Auditor: Brian Cooper, Ernst & Young

Fleet Awards

Stephen Briers, editor-in-chief, Fleet News
Stewart Lightbody, AFP vice-chair
Stewart Taylor, Police Scotland and current Fleet News fleet manager of the year winner
Paul Hollick, AFP joint-chair
Julie Madoui, Kier Group

Supplier Awards

Stephen Briers, Fleet News
Graham Short, Zip Water (UK)
Ryan Coles, Aviva
Peter Weston, Arcus
Lorna McAtear, National Grid
Jo Coffey, Anglian Water
Simon Gray, SSE
Cliff Lewis, Interserve
Willie Crawford, Network Rail

Manufacturer Awards

Stephen Briers, Fleet News                    (cars/van/trucks)
Matt dePrez, Fleet News staff writer       (cars/van)
Jo Coffey, Anglian Water                         (cars/vans/trucks)
Lorna McAtear, National Grid                  (cars/vans)
Martin Ward, industry consultant             (cars)
Andy Cutler, Glass’s                                 (cars)
Mark Jowsey, KeeResources                   (cars)
Matt Curtis, LeasePlan                             (cars)
Shaun Sadlier, Arval                                  (cars)
Debbie Floyde, Bauer Media                    (cars)

Chris Connors, Countryside Properties    (cars)
Steve Winter, Centrica                              (vans)
Andy Picton, Glass’s                                 (vans/trucks)
Ken Brown, Cap HPI                                 (vans/trucks)

​Headline Awards

Judges as above, relevant to the category