The annual Future Fleet Forum has been and gone and it was, I think everyone will agree, a triumph.
The exhibition had a dizzying array of displays as all the major manufacturers and suppliers gathered under one roof (and what a roof the City of London’s Guildhall has!) to share their wares and discuss recent developments in the fleet and plant sector.
The forum itself was a series of informative lectures delivered by major players from local government and the wider fleet sector. We had representatives from all over the UK, but there were also fascinating talks by visitors from the United States and Canada.
Things turned glitzy in the evening as everyone spruced themselves up and headed into the Great Hall for some fine dining and the awards ceremony. The Future Fleet Awards is an opportunity to recognise the hard work and talent that can be found in our sector, and it was a pleasure to witness.
The London Borough of Croydon and Arriva Digital won the ‘Best Fleet/Road Safety Initiative’ category and were awarded an LAPV trophy. The City of Edmonton, Canada, also took home a trophy for the most innovative fleet management strategy. Christina Churchill from the City of Calgary, Canada, was crowned young industry champion (under 30).
Westminster City Council and Veolia scooped up an award for the most sustainable fleet management department, and New York City Parks and Recreation went home with the ‘City Mark Award: Transport Operator’. City Mark Award: Driver of the Year went to Paul Neal of O’Donovan Waste Disposal.
Fraser Crichton of Dundee City Council, whose talk on Dundee’s 8-year journey to e-mobility transition was as entertaining as it was informative, was named industry personality of the year (public). Roger Edwards of Biffa was industry personality of the year (private).
The Lifetime Achievement Award, the final trophy to be handed out, went to Eddie Cross of ProSolution Management Services.
It remains only for me to say a big thank you to our sponsors and exhibitors. It would not have been possible without the support of Geesinknorba, Hako, Bunce by Boschung, NRG Fleet Services, Electra Commercial Vehicles, Dennis Eagle, and Terberg Matec.
On a more personal note I would also like to say thank you to Ann-Marie Knegt who organised the Future Fleet Forum and who has passed on the LAPV baton to me, William Eichler. She’s a tough act to follow, but I plan on keeping LAPV the bright beacon for all things plant and fleet-related that she made it.
