Blog: RALPH MORTON
FOR those of you out driving last night – at least from the Midlands and in the south-east – you have my sympathy.
It was a foul night with torrential rain and difficult driving conditions.
I was splashing and windscreen-wiping my way back from Stratford-upon-Avon in the early hours last night on my way home from the annual ACFO awards shindig.
I have to say, my Audi A4 was brilliant in the conditions. Standing water had the odd tugging at the wheel moment, but the A4 Avant is very confidence inspiring, mastering the tricky conditions with sure-footed security.
The ACFO awards is always a good night, though. And this was no different. Chairman Julie Jenner and her fellow directors do a brilliant job running the organisation on a voluntary basis.
As the premier organisation for fleet operators, you might wonder what these people have to do with you as an SME business car manager.
But you can join the organisation if you wish, and benefit from the best practice on offer.
Alternatively, as Julie told me last night over dinner, ACFO continues to enjoy close links with HM Treasury, HM Revenue and Customs and the DVLA, providing member-led views to these government organisations on a range of company car related issues. So SMEs operating company cars still benefit.
Last night ACFO turned 40. “ACFO has developed significantly since our predecessors had the vision and wisdom to launch the organisation back in 1972 – this awards ceremony is testimony to that,” said Julie.
Let’s hope Julie and her team of dedicated volunteers continue: their hard work means the government makes more informed decisions about company cars.
And any SME business car manager needs that.