Procurement will be a cornerstone of Fleet Live, the UK’s premier exhibition and conference for fleet decision-makers and key stakeholders, following the announcement of a joint working agreement between the event and the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS).

Each day will feature a seminar session looking at the future for fleet procurement supported by CIPS, with speakers to include David Oliver, procurement manager at Red Bull. The seminars will explore fleet procurement and supply chain best practice, including tender procedures, contract negotiations and the monitoring of service delivery.

The relationship between fleet and procurement within business is constantly strengthening. Both face the major challenge of digitalisation and how it is transforming supply chains, and both are in danger of being caught up in the global risk of protectionism and trade tariffs - especially after Brexit.

CIPS said: “The movement of goods and people is vital for the success of almost every business, so Fleet Live will be extremely useful for procurement professionals to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by their fleet colleagues now and in the years ahead.”

Fleet is not only an area of high expenditure, it is also a complex field to manage, encompassing significant risks, total cost of ownership measures and the emotive issues of company cars.

Businesses and organisations will need fleet and procurement managers to work in tandem to find strategic solutions to these challenges.

Steve Briers, editor in chief of Fleet News, said: “The opportunity for fleet managers to gain a profound insight into the best practice of procurement professionals will make Fleet Live a hugely rewarding event to attend.”

Fleet Live will also give purchasing executives a valuable insight into the pressures facing fleets, including budgetary restraints, taxation and environmental regulations. 

Fleet Live takes place on October 9 and 10 at the NEC, Birmingham. Entry is free to fleet and procurement managers. For more details, see www.fleet-live.co.uk.