FLEET Service Great Britain (Fleet Service GB) has strengthened its operations team as the start-up vehicle management company meets ever-growing customer demand.
Less than six months since launch, the company is already providing a range of fleet management services to businesses collectively operating almost 2,000 vehicles and it is anticipated that figure will increase significantly into 2016.
Sarah Clifford has joined Wiltshire-based Fleet Service GB in the key role of head of service delivery.
Simultaneously, Fleet Service GB has launched an Advisory Group comprising a range of fleet industry experts with in-depth knowledge across a broad spectrum of key operational areas to advise on vital areas of development to the benefit of customers.
Advisory Group:
- Key members of the Advisory Group include:
- Michael Appleby, health and safety specialist and partner at law firm Bivonas;
- Kevin Basnett, managing partner at Goughs Solicitors;
- Gary Kent, who runs Toot Rock Consulting and is a former fleet chief at Dun and Bradstreet;
- Ian Brooks, ex-Metropolitan Police chief inspector and now director of Oscar Strategic Consulting;
- Ian Smith, former Unison trade union health and safety officer and now running Safe Hands (Health and Safety) Consultancy; and
- Andy Neale, director of risk management specialist Automotional.
- Fleet Service GB clients will also be invited to join the Group.
Mrs Clifford has 15 years’ fleet industry experience and her responsibilities in an already seven-strong operations team focus on engagement with suppliers and delivering added value to customers to drive efficiencies and cost savings across their vehicle operations.
Fleet Service GB was launched in spring 2015 by one of the best-known family names in UK fleet management over the last 30 years.
The new fleet management company was launched with an experienced management team by Marcus Bray, who with his father Geoffrey Bray and stepmother Ina, was instrumental in the growth of Fleet Support Group (FSG) from a kitchen table concept to becoming the UK’s largest privately owned fleet management company managing 55,000 vehicles and drivers.
He said: “The business is built on delivering industry-leading customer service. Unlike other fleet management companies, Fleet Service GB does not take a commodity approach.
“Fleet management continues to evolve, notably with technological advances for managing vehicles, drivers and journeys, but real success for a fleet management company lies in the ability to continually listen to client needs and then develop and implement services that completely satisfies the identified requirements.
“Fleet Service GB takes a partnership approach, with our employees using their in-depth knowledge and experience to work hand-in-hand with customers to continually fine tune their requirements to ensure their transport operations are cost-effective and efficient.
“Sarah’s recruitment brings a huge amount of skill as well as knowledge and experience to Fleet Service GB. Her ability to interpret what customers require and what the business needs to deliver will be instrumental in underpinning the company’s continuous growth.”
FSG was acquired by United States-based ARI in 2011 and subsequently renamed ARI Fleet UK. Mrs Clifford had joined FSG in 2000 and her career path ultimately saw her progress to the senior management team where she managed a wide range of key operational projects.
On joining Fleet Service GB, she said: “Business success is down to people and a fleet management company must truly understand a client’s needs and become a genuine extension of the customer’s management team.
“By sharing goals and visions, trust develops which ultimately leads to a partnership that delivers a cost and operationally beneficial service.
“That culture was prevalent top to bottom at FSG and was instrumental in the company’s growth over many years. That same approach is at the core of Fleet Service GB. It’s great to be part of an ambitious team that is delivering an exceptional level of fleet management service, while also embracing industry-leading data processing and information technology.”
Meanwhile, the launch of the new Advisory Group will initially focus on assisting in the support and development of Fleet Service GB’s work-related road safety service.
Marcus Bray said: “Occupational road risk management in terms of managing vehicles, drivers and journeys is critical to all businesses and the new Advisory Group will be proactive in helping companies and employees in particular, achieve their work-related road safety objectives.
“Drivers need to take ownership and responsibility for their own well-being. It is for the company to create the right culture. In addition, all drivers need to be provided with the right skills in order to protect themselves and their company.”
