The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has announced that Lex Autolease will be the next new industry partner of its Van Excellence programme.

Lex Autolease is one of the UK’s leading providers of specialist commercial vehicles and the FTA says it will quickly become an invaluable member of the Van Excellence family as an industry partner.

Marcus Puddy, commercial vehicle director at Lex Autolease, said: “Lex Autolease is proud to become Van Excellence’s latest industry partner. 

“The organisations’ goal of promoting high standards of best practice in van fleets is closely aligned with our own strategic objectives. 

“As one of the UK’s largest commercial vehicle providers, we are committed to helping businesses ranging from SMEs through to large corporates operate a safe and efficient van fleet on a daily basis.” 

Industry partners are seen as an important addition to Van Excellence as they help promote the Van Excellence Code amongst their customers and encourage its standards to be adopted and followed throughout the light commercial vehicle sector.

Mark Cartwright, FTA head of vans and logistics, said: “This is the perfect opportunity for such a highly respected organisation to become involved, and is indicative of how important the growth of the scheme has become with the logistics industry.”

At the beginning of 2013 Van Excellence announced its initial industry partners, which included ATS Euromaster, BT Fleet, Hertz and TomTom Business Solutions.

Cartwright added: “The support of all the Van Excellence industry partners has proved invaluable as the scheme continues to go from strength to strength. 

“Since its launch in 2010, Van Excellence has become an integral part of promoting high standards of van operation and driving by accrediting operators against an industry code of good practice.”

In addition to supporting the FTA backed Van Excellence scheme, industry partners work with FTA on a number of initiatives including a Van Excellence supplement, developing best practice guides, and the Van Excellence conferences held in the UK.