ACFO will continue to reinvent itself in 2018 as the role of the fleet decision-maker evolves into that of the professional travel mobility manager.

The fleet decision-makers’ organisation believes companies must have joined up fleet and travel management and, as a consequence, far from the job title of fleet manager diminishing, the role is developing and expanding at a more rapid rate than ever before.

John Pryor, chairman of ACFO, said: “Promoting the necessity and value of a fleet manager is critical and must be seen as a key professional role by employers. But ACFO acknowledges that the role is changing.

“Mobility is a significant cost to many companies and today travel embraces far more than company car procurement and in-life management of vehicles.

"Car clubs, better use of pool vehicles, greater market flexibility on short/medium vehicle availability, traffic congestion, reduced employee interest in a traditional company car particularly for those living in built-up areas with a lack of parking space, on road parking permits and charges, air quality concerns in cites, app-based travel services and autonomous vehicles are all issues and challenges within the mobility function.

“Employees are looking for a more encompassing solution to meet their transportation needs, but ACFO’s belief is that managers should measure the cost of the mile travelled however a journey is made.

"Previously it would have been in a company-supplied car, but today there are various ways to travel that mile and managers must build into their systems the most environmental, risk-free and cost-effective way to complete a journey.

“Therefore companies should be looking at the mile travelled and let technology dictate how that mile journey is actually made. Businesses - and they must encourage employees to do the same - must focus on gaining the maximum benefit for each £1 for mile travelled.

“This represents a challenge and an opportunity for ACFO to support the establishment of the professional role of a travel mobility manager, and to develop representation and support for this new breed of operator.”

ACFO’s evolvement includes the organisation planning to combine its traditional autumn seminar and annual Awards dinner,  into a single afternoon and evening event.

The developments build further on ACFO’s decision from January 1, 2018 to restructure with one region replacing nine regions and the introduction of webinars in addition to continuing to hold its popular twice-a-year seminars on key topics.

Furthermore, as ACFO evolves it will continue to:

• Make its website - www.acfo.org - and its online library of fleet policies, best practice procedures, fact sheets and white papers and question and answer forums available to members
• Engage with other fleet and motor industry organisations and government departments and agencies on key issues to deliver the views of fleet decision-makers
• Publish its weekly ‘Newsfeed’ containing the very latest ACFO and industry news.

Pryor added:“Organisations that fail to adapt to industry changes wither on the vine. ACFO recognises that it must continue to evolve and business mobility is about giving employees the widest possible choice, while making travel cost effective and efficient. It is more than just trains, planes and automobiles and ACFO will help its members address the challenges and opportunities they are facing.”