Future Fleet Awards reveal the best in public sector fleet management
Taking place alongside Future Fleet Forum, the international conference on the future of fleet management, the Future Fleet Awards were hosted by the City of London and supported by the City of New York, CILT, and the City of London Police. The event was organised by LAPV Events and sponsored by NRG Fleet Services/Electra Commercial Vehicles.
The Awards recognise the outstanding achievements of local authorities, public sector contractors, and individuals in the fields of safety, innovation, and sustainability in fleet management. The 2019 event also saw the integration of two of the City of London’s CityMark Awards for the first time: Transport Operator of the year and Driver of the Year.
The ceremony took place in the spectacular surroundings of the Great Hall in the City of London Corporation’s Guildhall. It was hosted by comedian Alfie Moore, and the coveted trophies were handed out by NYPD Deputy Commissioner Bob Martinez, Mike Brown, Commissioner for TfL, Mick Sweetmore, President of the SOE, Sheila Moules, Behaviour and Change Campaigns Officer from the City of London Corporation, Carolyn Dwyer Director for the Built Environment of the City of London, and NRG Fleet Service/Electra Commercial Vehicles Group Commercial Director Russell Markstein.
The awards were judged by a panel of experts from across the international transport industry headed up by LAPV editor Ann-Marie Knegt. Keith Bottomley, Sheila Moules, and Vince Dignam were the representatives for the City of London while Eric Richardson and Keith Kerman represented the City of New York. Phil Clifford, independent transport consultant, Kate Cairns of Cairns Consultancy, and Arend Mouton from Wates Construction completed the panel.
Future Fleet Award winners
Best fleet/road safety initiative – Gateshead Council
The judges were impressed with Gateshead Council’s efforts to improve both safety and air quality. ‘Gateshead Council has gone above and beyond to improve safety standards for its drivers and the general public. Accident rates have halved. Grey fleet is down and its engagement with road safety organisations is outstanding,’ said Ann-Marie Knegt, who chaired the judging panel.
Most innovative fleet management strategy – City of Calgary, Canada
The City of Calgary in Canada won the award for its patented asphalt carrier and recycler built on a standardised multi-purpose vehicle platform, which has saved the City of Calgary millions in capital and operating costs while diverting tons of asphalt waste from landfill.
Calgary’s Director of Fleet Services Sharon Fleming commented: ‘Fleet Services at the City of Calgary is honoured to have been recognised amongst international peers at the Future Fleet 2019 Awards for most innovative fleet management strategy. This recognition validates our team’s multi-year efforts to achieve efficiencies through innovation and reduce the operational cost of the services that make life better every day for Calgarians. By licensing this design, we hope many other municipalities are able to benefit as well.’
This is the first time that a city outside the UK has received a Future Fleet Award, underlining the expanding international character of Future Fleet Forum and the awards.
Most sustainable fleet management department – Oxford City Council
Oxford City Council’s efforts to reduce road miles, fuel usage, and its overall carbon footprint drew praise from the judges. ‘In addition to numerous workshop improvements and staff training, which has saved 3,500 miles per year, Oxford City Council has also achieved huge efficiencies in environmental driving violations and fuel savings. The council also managed to minimise grey fleet and has therefore reduced its carbon footprint and invested in a 14% greener fleet,’ the judges said.
Young Industry Champion – Simon Arshid, Leeds City Council
New for 2019, the Young Industry Champion award recognises the contribution of a new generation of talent in the fleet industry. The judges said of winner Simon Arshid: ‘Simon helped implement Leeds’ green fleet of electric vehicles and its infrastructure. This includes the introduction of 95 EVs with 107 charge points across the organisation. He also functions as a disability and wellbeing network lead at Leeds Council. Simon is a real transport professional in the making.’
On accepting his award, Simon said: ‘To be recognised as a transport professional truly means a lot to me personally. This gives me confidence that I am on the right path for my future aspirations and I can only thank the authority in Leeds for their ongoing support.’
Lifetime Achievement Award – Cynthia Barlow
Another new category, the Lifetime Achievement Award went to Cynthia Barlow from the charity Road Peace. Ann-Marie Knegt said: ‘Cynthia has been involved in many areas of road danger reduction, but is especially engaged in tackling the dangers of HGVs to cyclists and other vulnerable road users and the responsibilities of freight operating companies. Her campaigning has improved many safety standards and saved many lives. The judges classed her as the most deserving recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award because of her determination to create a safer world for everyone.’
City of London CityMark Awards
CityMark was set up by the City of London to recognise best practice on construction sites and five awards are now part of the City of London’s Considerate Contractors Scheme. For 2019, two of these awards – Transport Operator of the Year and Driver of Year – were integrated into the Future Fleet Awards.
Sheila Moules, Behaviour and Change Coordinator for the City of London, explains: ‘The City of London has worked incredibly hard to engage with construction sites and has successfully reached out to site managers, fleet operators, and HGV drivers through FORS, CLOCS, and the City’s construction site initiative by introducing CityMark.
‘The City of London Corporation was privileged and delighted to host the 2019 Future Fleet Forum at the Guildhall working in partnership with LAPV,’ she continued.
City Mark was successfully introduced as part of the Considerate Contractors Scheme (CCS) to recognise and reward best practice within the construction sites for Work Related Road Safety in the City of London.
‘The Transport Operator and Driver of the Year awards are key to our success in delivering CityMark, but there is no reason that CityMark needs to be confined to the City of London or even the UK. Future Fleet Forum engages with transport authorities all over the world and best practice can be shared worldwide. That’s why we have integrated these categories into the Future Fleet Awards, which share our ambition of promoting sustainability, safety, and best practice on an international level.’
Driver of the Year – Jamie Jarman from Simply Waste Solutions
Simply Waste’s Jamie Jarman won the 2019 award for his excellent driving record and his willingness to share his knowledge and passion with others.
‘I was surprised and honoured to learn that I had been entered in the Future Fleet Awards back in November and delighted to hear that I had been short-listed and invited to attend at the historical Guildhall. To hear my name called as the winner is still so surreal. I feel very privileged that Simply Waste Solutions nominated me for this prestigious award in the first place,’ said Jamie.
Transport Operator of the Year – McGee Group
The award for Transport Operator of the Year went to the McGee Group. The judges commented that McGee had demonstrated best practice in transport management, policy implementation, and progression to FORS Gold – an accreditation the company has held for four consecutive years.
The judges praised the operator’s efforts to reduce accidents/incidents by 36% between 2017 and 2018 through smart routing and a strong commitment to driver training and driver assessments. The judges also commended McGee’s partnership with Nottingham Trent University, which has resulted in the development of a number of road and fleet safety initiatives.
‘To be named as the Transport Operator of the Year by the judges reflects our hard work and commitment. The award is a tremendous accolade for the whole team here at McGee,’ commented John McGee, Director of the McGee Group.
‘We invest heavily in our fleet, innovative technology, and our drivers who ensure we operate safely, efficiently and with consideration for the environment. We are delighted that this award further underlines our reputation as one of the leading specialist contractors in the UK.’
Future Fleet Awards 2020
Next year, the Future Fleet Awards will take place in January 2020. The portal for submissions will open on September 1, 2019 and the submission deadline is mid-November.
Pictures of the awards can be viewed here http://awards.futurefleetforum.co.uk/winners/winners-2019/
For more information, including high resolution pictures, please contact Ann-Marie Knegt, Editor LAPV/ LAPV Events on am.knegt@hgluk.com or 0044 (0) 1935 374001.
About LAPV
LAPV is the UK’s leading magazine for fleet and plant managers in public sector and private contracting organisations. With its highly-targeted circulation and dedicated editorial focus, including regular input from industry experts, the magazine provides solution-oriented journalism and news reporting to almost 5,000 municipal fleet professionals in the UK. LAPV also organises international conference Future Fleet Forum and the Future Fleet Awards and is a founding member of the global Future Fleet Partnership with the City of London, City of New York, and City of Montreal.
