Fleet Management for Care Sector
About Author Andrew Leech I’ve been greening company fleets for over a decade. Ready to solve your fleet puzzle? View All Posts New Fleet Management Division for Care Sector EV leasing and salary sacrifice provider, Fleet Evolution, has launched a new specialist fleet management division, Mercia Fleet Management, targeted at the care sector, following demand from its existing customer base. A New Chapter in Fleet Management for the Care Sector Tamworth, West Midlands-based Fleet Evolution, one of the early introducers of EV salary sacrifice schemes in the UK, has been providing bespoke, personalised fleet management services for the last four years, typically for salary sacrifice clients who want a higher level of customer care. Why the Care Sector Needs Dedicated Fleet Support In formalising these services in a new division, which will be largely Midlands-centric, Mercia Fleet Management will focus on care providers – a stronghold for Fleet Evolution based on its ability to adapt and customise vehicles for care companies that it has built up over a number of years. Comprehensive Services for Care Providers Mercia Fleet Management will offer a comprehensive portfolio of fleet management services, including fleet policy provision, vehicle acquisition and adaptation advice, licence checking, risk management, fleet service scheduling, vehicle logistics and daily rental, plus wider mobility services. Looking to Solve Your Fleet Puzzle? That’s what we’re here for. Let us know what you need and we’ll find the missing piece. Get in Touch Putting Customer Needs First “Through Mercia Fleet Management we will be providing what are seen as standard fleet management services – but aimed specifically at the care sector which has been one of our strengths in recent years,” said Andrew Leech, managing director at Fleet Evolution and head of the new fleet management division. “Many conventional fleet management companies are very volume focused and are keen to offer minimal level services in return for large numbers of vehicles at low cost. They are largely unaware of the special needs of the care sector. “But our approach is different. We provide high levels of personalised customer service specifically for the care sector where the needs of the customer are the first things that we consider, rather than simply ticking boxes and providing basic levels of service,” he said. Delivering Value and Expertise “One of our core objectives will be to provide savings for our clients, as well as offering expert advice on fleet policy and vehicle adaptation – all core areas of expertise. “We can then factor any savings we make back into our rates to make them more efficient and cost-effective for the client,” he said. Why ‘Mercia Fleet Management’? Leech said the name – Mercia Fleet Management – was based on the Midlands-focused nature of the new division. “Mercia was the historical name for Middle England where our main focus will be with the new division, as we believe this will help us offer a higher level of customer service,” he added. Reach Out! Let’s make fleet management a little less puzzling. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to take your operations to the next level, we’d love to hear what’s on your mind and help you piece together the perfect fleet strategy. FAQs Here’s some of the most frequently asked fleet management questions. Ask A Question Why has Fleet Evolution launched a dedicated fleet management division for the care sector? Fleet Evolution recognized the unique needs of the care sector, where reliability, safety, and personalised service are critical. This new division, Mercia Fleet Management, aims to provide tailored solutions that reduce costs, improve efficiency, and ensure compliance for care providers. What services does Mercia Fleet Management offer? Mercia Fleet Management provides a comprehensive range of services, including fleet policy provision, vehicle acquisition and adaptation advice, licence checking, risk management, fleet service scheduling, vehicle logistics, daily rental, and wider mobility services, all specifically designed for the care sector. How does this division differ from traditional fleet management providers? Unlike volume-focused providers, Mercia Fleet Management prioritises personalised customer care, understanding the specific challenges of the care sector, and offering flexible, cost-effective solutions to meet the unique demands of care providers.
How to Manage a Fleet for Non-Fleet Managers
About Author Andrew Leech I’ve been greening company fleets for over a decade. Ready to solve your fleet puzzle? View All Posts Manaigng Your Fleet for Non-Fleet Managers Whether you’re in HR, finance, or part of an SME, we want to help you manage your fleet more effectively. We aim to provide a general overview of the basics of how to manage fleet for non-fleet managers. This paper has been written to help you to devise a fleet strategy for all types of employee needs. It is by no means exhaustive but should serve as a framework for those with little fleet experience; a framework you can follow to ensure success. At the end of this paper, you will find additional resources and contacts you may find useful. The typical company car costs around £8,000 a year to run. It is a cost second only to payroll for some companies. It is a cost that needs as strong a strategy. This paper is designed to help you ensure that you have a sound strategy, whether managed in house or externally. You are more likely to win the lottery than be jailed under the Corporate Manslaughter Bill, due to a Driving at Work incident. Though, this does not mean you should be complacent. The ‘teeth’ have always been in the Health and Safety at work legislation. Breach it, you could be in very hot water. Abide by it and you can actually save quite a lot of money! But with so much conflicting information, what do you need to do? Driving at work is one of the most dangerous things an employee can do. Under the legislation, whether they are using your car, their car, a horse, or a skateboard, you have an obligation to ensure both employee and vehicle are ‘fit for the purpose’. What is a Company Fleet The UK is one of the largest company fleet markets in the world and probably the best established. In essence, the “company fleet” is vehicles owned or leased by the company for employees to use to carry out their job. However, in the UK it is much more than that. In the 70s, employers used cars as a way to recruit talent, to overcome set pay rules imposed during hyperinflation. Since then, cars have increasingly been used as a recruitment and retention tool. One thing for sure is that the company fleet is a huge part of modern business. Huge potential benefits that go way beyond just transporting staff, but huge costs and even potential legal issues if you get the strategy wrong. Looking to Solve Your Fleet Puzzle? That’s what we’re here for. Let us know what you need and we’ll find the missing piece. Get in Touch The Differing Company and Employee Needs When you look at operating a vehicle fleet, you need to devise or indeed revisit the business case. Too many companies still have the same strategy they had 10 – 15 years ago simply because it’s always been done that way. Though, as companies and transport evolve, so should your vehicle policy. Job Need Most companies require company vehicles. However, how that is addressed should be tailored, not blanket. It normally depends on a whole raft of variables, but we’ll concentrate on the 2 main drivers: utilisation and purpose. Employee Need All employees need vehicles normally, even if they are just commuting. You may be surprised to know you can help with this. The best solution again depends on utilisation: No Work Use Consider introducing a salary sacrifice scheme. It costs you nothing and has huge benefits to recruitment, retention and for the environment. Nominal Work Use For occasional work use, you may be better served with: A pool car fleet: spare cars you allocate as needed Hire cars: companies like us can arrange this for you Worst case: letting employees use their own car The latter can be expensive for you and the employee. It is jam-packed with duty of care issues, see the Grey Fleet section on the website for more info. Moving Equipment If you need to move equipment, it could be goods or equipment with people, you have to choose appropriate vehicles. However, you don’t always need to have permanent vehicles. If vehicles are likely to be used for more than 8 days a month, we’d always suggest you buy or lease. Travelling less than this? Look at hire vehicles, you’d be amazed how even specialised vehicles can be sourced cost-effectively. High Mileage Essential Users: Anyone covering more than 10,000 business miles a year should be in a company car. The car should be “fit for the purpose” so lumbar support, adequate room, and sat nav will be required. Other considerations: These include the compromise of work and own use. Some employees need 7-seaters. Is this practical for company use? 3-door vehicles? Will this be problematic if collecting customers? Should you set a maximum CO2 or minimum MPG on the vehicles? There are many, many considerations. Funding Your Fleet: What Are Your Options? Choosing the right way to fund your fleet can make a big difference to your business’s cash flow and flexibility. From outright purchase for full control to contract hire for low upfront costs, and finance leases for ownership with flexibility, each option has its pros and cons. You might even find a blend of approaches works best for you. Find Out More About Funding Options Here Constructing a Policy When you look at vehicle policies, car policies especially, you’ll be amazed by how political things can become. You could be forgiven at times for thinking it’s a poisoned chalice. Usually, the people designing the policy are not eligible for cars. The negativity those eligible can understandably frustrate. However, take into account the genuine needs of all stakeholders, employees, employer, and customers. Then, a sensible solution can often be reached with all but the most petulant drivers. You can’t please all of the people all of the time, but
Duty of Care: The Great Risk Hijack!
About Author Andrew Leech I’ve been greening company fleets for over a decade. Ready to solve your fleet puzzle? View All Posts Duty of Care: The Great Risk Hijack Some things are real. For instance, COVID-19, and Global Warming. Other things are less so… like the Loch Ness Monster, sugar making kids hyper, or my memory of my rugby playing ability… The latter are in fact fictions! In part because it serves the interests of some, but crucially, not all. As is with Duty of Care! In 2007, the Government passed the Corporate Manslaughter Bill, which sanctions companies for breaching a duty of care. With it, all sorts of ancillary suppliers to the fleet industry went on a rampage of fiction and scaremongering; blinded by the pound notes in their pockets instead of yours. The Fact Remains Now as it Did Then You are more likely to win the lottery than be jailed under the Corporate Manslaughter Bill, due to a Driving at Work incident. Though, this does not mean you should be complacent. The ‘teeth’ have always been in the Health and Safety at work legislation. Breach it, you could be in very hot water. Abide by it and you can actually save quite a lot of money! But with so much conflicting information, what do you need to do? Driving at work is one of the most dangerous things an employee can do. Under the legislation, whether they are using your car, their car, a horse, or a skateboard, you have an obligation to ensure both employee and vehicle are ‘fit for the purpose’. What Does That Mean Well, it does not mean you need to buy electronic licence checking, training, or telematics. Although, some of those may be good ideas… The HSE dictate to meet your obligations. You must have a robust policy, a process to review and amend it, and an audit of its communication. You have to take reasonable steps, like checking someone has a licence. Insisting on them having more training than the law requires? No need. It could be useful for some, but not a legal requirement. Reach Out! Let’s make fleet management a little less puzzling. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to take your operations to the next level, we’d love to hear what’s on your mind and help you piece together the perfect fleet strategy. FAQs Here’s some of the most frequently asked fleet management questions. Ask A Question What is the Duty of Care for fleet operators? Fleet operators have a legal and moral obligation to ensure their drivers’ safety and well-being. This includes maintaining roadworthy vehicles, providing driver training, conducting regular risk assessments, and promoting safe driving practices to reduce the likelihood of accidents and liability issues. Why is Duty of Care important for businesses with fleets? Meeting Duty of Care obligations not only protects your drivers but also reduces the risk of costly legal claims, improves fleet efficiency, and enhances your company’s reputation. Failing to comply can lead to significant financial penalties, legal action, and damage to your brand’s trust. How can businesses effectively manage their Duty of Care responsibilities? Effective Duty of Care management involves a combination of regular vehicle checks, driver training, risk assessments, real-time fleet monitoring, and a clear incident response plan. Partnering with a fleet management expert can help streamline this process and ensure ongoing compliance.