A brave new world of fleet management is emerging and decision-makers must embrace change with ICFM adapting to ensure members are the “most equipped, most specialised and most informed”.

That was ICFM chairman Paul Hollick’s message to delegates at the organisation’s 24th Annual Members’ Conference held at MINI Plant Oxford on Tuesday, November 8, and sponsored by BMW Group and motoring organisation RAC.

ICFM is dedicated to advancing the profession of car and light commercial fleet management. Its qualifications are viewed as the de facto stamp of approval for employees with fleet responsibility whether as full-time professional fleet managers or as part of an HR, finance, travel or procurement role or working in the supply side of the industry. ICFM currently has almost 800 members that are on the road to, or have achieved, qualifications.

Hollick told delegates: “The fleet industry is changing and changing very quickly. The worlds of travel, payments and fleet are rapidly colliding. Autonomous vehicles are nearly here and everyone is talking about usage rather than ownership of assets.

“Fleet managers, now more than any time in the last 20 years, need to be ready - as this progress isn’t going to stop and wait for them to be ready.”

Arguing that in some cases the “new age was already here”, Hollick highlighted the internet of things, electric vehicles, driverless cars, smart payments and multi-modal transport were either available or rapidly emerging.

But, he argued: “They are the tip of the iceberg. ICFM is well placed to support this changing climate - we will adapt to ensure our members and students are the most equipped, most specialised and most informed. The ICFM member of the future will come from not just fleet, but travel and payments.

“Employees need to be aware and educated about what’s coming up and ICFM is in a uniquely strong position to help with this transition.”

ICFM’s vision is that its qualifications are as recognised by employers in the same way as those of an accountant, an architect or a lawyer.

To reflect the changing face of fleet, ICFM will adapt training to meet future requirements and develop courses relating to mobility and travel in partnership with other qualification awarding organisations.

Hollick said: “We will develop the fleet, mobility, travel manager of the future. We are here to raise the standards in the fleet industry. ICFM is strong and robust. Our focus is on supporting the industry with its significantly changing landscape.”

In the past 12 months ICFM membership has increased by more than 5% with the organisation training more students than ever before, and over the coming year it is confident that it will significantly further increase membership numbers.

2016 Training Award recipients receive recognition

For the first time in the ICFM’s 24-year history the Peter Moxon Award for the Training Achiever of the Year was shared. The Awards were presented by former Ryder Cup captain and golfing legend Paul McGinley.

Julie Whyte, car fleet leader at Muller Dairy UK, and Sean Woodvine, assistant fleet manager at Rydon Group, each achieved the ICFM’s Certificate in Fleet Management with flying colours. Additionally, Whyte completed the course via distance learning.

In announcing the recipients of the Peter Moxon Award for the Training Achiever of the Year, Steve Hook, ICFM board member and training and education manager, said: “Their results, grades and, just as significantly, the nature and quality of the recommendations for developing their respective fleet operations, represented an extremely high standard.”

The winner of the ICFM’s Career Development Award was Richard Scruton, manager of the Northampton branch of Motofix, who also passed the Certificate in Fleet Management.

It was the first time that an employee from the vehicle accident repair and bodyshop sector, which provides a significant service to many fleets, had won the Award. Scruton achieved two distinctions and three credits across the five modules taken.

Hook said: “The ICFM qualification not only enhances the quality of their understanding of and contribution to the management of a fleet operation, but also adds to their skill set from a career development perspective.

“Richard’s results provide evidence of having used the certificate level qualification to gain a more rounded understanding of the fleet management process and within that, the needs and priorities of clients.”

Members who achieved an ICFM qualification in the past 12 months were recognised with their certificates presented at the annual Awards ceremony.

Introductory Certificate in Fleet Management: Charlotte Strong, fleet administrator, Danwood Group; Nabeel Sheikh, fleet manager, Carey & Embarque; Luke Jarrold, sales support, Key Fleet; Lynsey Ball, relationship executive, Arval; Ann Edmondson, fleet officer, Fort Vale Engineering; Lorien English, fleet administrator, Healthcare at Home; Gill Herbert, general administrator, Muller UK; Samantha Amos, fleet administrator, Interactive Fleet Management; Matthew Lewis, account administrator, Interactive Fleet Management; Yvonne Cannon, fleet manager, CH4 Gas Utility and Maintenance Services; Thomas Bailey, customer service executive, ALD Automotive; Vicky Mclean, sales executive, Arval; Catrin Jenkins, operations assistant, Power Testing; Kate Franks, account executive, Zenith.

Certificate in Fleet Management: Lorraine Cox, personal assistant to managing director, Mapei UK; Didier Smith, vehicle storeman/receptionist, Surrey Police; Julie Whyte, car fleet leader, Muller Dairy UK; Sean Woodvine, assistant fleet manager, Rydon Group; Richard Scruton, branch manager, Motofix; Jacob Telemacque, fleet administrator, Kings Security; Virginia Stewart, administration officer, Ministry of Defence; Jordan Searle, transport co-ordinator, TWI; Michelle Scully, fleet manager, Lex Autolease; Aaron Powell, national fleet manager, HSS Hire Service Group.

Diploma in Fleet Management and ICFM Fellowship: Emma Evans, team leader, Galliford Try Plant.

Honorary ICFM Fellowships: Presented for the first time to industry experts from outside of ICFM, the first two recipients were John Lewis, former chief executive of the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA), who retired in 2012 after 10 years in the role; and Stephen Briers, editor-in-chief at Fleet News.

In announcing the recipients, ICFM chairman Paul Hollick said both had contributed significantly to “raising standards within the fleet industry”.