Driver risk management specialist DriveTech has joined the recently-created Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP).

AFP was formed in March from the merger of trade body ACFO (formerly Association of Car Fleet Operators) and training body ICFM (Institute of Car Fleet Management).

The new combined organisation aims to give fleet decision-makers ‘increased voice through combined strength’, but also cater for those with fleet responsibility working in HR, finance and procurement roles and the fast-emerging mobility function.

Colin Paterson, head of marketing at DriveTech, said: “Becoming a member of AFP makes absolute sense for DriveTech at this moment in time.

“We pride ourselves on taking a lead position within the fleet driver risk management market and wish to lend our voice to the organisation’s activities.

“By working with other organisations across fleet, we believe that we can more effectively handle the many issues that we, as an industry, are facing at this moment in time.”
He said factors which led to the decision to join included the rapid tate of change across the fleet landscape and the Covid-19 pandemic, which he believed made co-operation and collaboration across the sector more important than ever.

Emma Loveday, commercial development manager at DriveTech, is joining the AFP’s risk, compliance and health committee.
Paul Hollick, chairman of AFP, added interest has been very high from organisations wanting to join.

He said: ““Since March, we’ve had more than 75 new members come on board who had no links with ACFO or the ICFM and we are very pleased to see that DriveTech is one of them.

“They have an excellent reputation across the fleet sector for their risk management expertise.

“Our intention in forming the AFP was very much to create a forum where the fleet sector could speak with one voice, and many companies want to be part of that project.”
AFP has launched online membership applications through its new website www.theafp.co.uk.

Fleet Operator Corporate Membership is available at £299 while Fleet Service Support Membership is available at four levels: bronze at £299 and providing one employee membership, silver at £500 with two employee memberships; gold at £1,000 with four employee memberships; and platinum at £2,000 with unlimited memberships.

Depending on the corporate membership level chosen, a range of added value benefits are available including discounts on employee training, the ability to provide company information on the AFP website, and opportunities for corporate promotions during AFP webinars and other events.