The Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP) has introduced a new tier of membership, paving the way for individuals to join the trade body.

The Individual Fleet Operator Membership is priced £99 a year, a discount of £200 off the price of Company Membership. It is intended to reduce the threshold for fleet decision-makers to join the association.

Paul Hollick, AFP chair (pictured left), said: “We introduced this offer because although there is fleet manager demand for the services, quite often those that need the most help can’t get the membership fee signed off because they work in SMEs or there is low priority for the fleet within their company.

“By reducing the entry level to £99, we are aiming to remove that objection and open the organisation up to as many people as possible.”

Benefits of individual membership include: professional recognition, designatory letters (MAFP), access to members areas on the website, online support for fleet queries, attendance at annual conference, access to webinars and seminars, and network with other members.

AFP focuses on two key mandates:

• To give a voice to policy setters for fleet managers and corporates operating vehicle fleets within the UK, protecting their interests and driving their agenda to ensure organisations can adequately run fleet vehicles within the UK and abroad.
• To train, educate and develop fleet professionals, to raise the standards of corporate fleet operators and associated support service providers, promoting best practice and developing the current and future generation of fleet professionals.

Since ACFO and ICFM merged to create AFP just over a year ago, membership levels have steadily risen. The union saw membership numbers hit 900 – more than 700 from ICFM and almost 300 from ACFO – of which 60% were fleet decision-makers and 40% service providers. The overlap between the two membership bases was less than 20% thanks to different demographics.

“AFP membership has risen over 15% in the last quarter, but we need a call out to get more fleet managers involved and onboard,” says Hollick. “The AFP is a not for profit organisation, working to professionalise, educate and develop the current and future fleet managers in the UK. The board give their time freely and the AFP is creating wealth of guides, support and insights that all fleet managers need.

“In terms of fleet managers, we need their support – this can be done by being members of our industry association. Join the AFP.”