14/03/2024
Flagship honoured for gear-shift to eco-friendly vehicles
With the 'highly commended' trophy from the Fleet News Awards are, Flagship Group's fleet and payroll team, from left, Kerri Larner, Catherine South, Andrew Fordham and Rose Rayner.
Flagship Group has claimed a top honour at the Fleet News Awards for its drive towards a net zero fleet.
The group won a ‘highly commended’ trophy in an Environmental Fleet of the Year category, second only to the overall category winner, Royal Mail.
Catherine South, Flagship’s payroll and fleet manager, said it was an honour just to be shortlisted for the award, which comes amid the group’s transformation to an all-electric fleet.
Ms South said: “We didn’t expect to win at all, especially being a small company and fleet alongside larger companies and fleets such as Royal Mail.
“It’s fantastic to see so many companies and fleet professionals embracing fleet electrification.”
Flagship is aiming to have a net zero car fleet by 2027, eight years ahead of the national goal of 2035.
Around 1,300 people were at the awards at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel on March 13. The ceremony was hosted by comedian Rob Beckett and supported the Marie Curie charity.
Ms South also took part in a roundtable discussion with other fleet professionals.
She said: “We had the chance to share our strategies, successes, and challenges, and it was a great opportunity to network and share expertise. The conversation revolved around fleet electrification, in particular, charging infrastructure, vehicle range, and vehicle cost.
“We’ve brought home some valuable suggestions regarding fleet management software, driver safety and protection with vehicle checks and dashcams, accident management processes, and charging ideas such as solar panels on vans, and sharing of charging networks.
“This award is a testament to the work of the Flagship Group Payroll and Fleet Team – Andrew Fordham, myself, Kerri Larner, and Rose Rayner, the Flagship Group drivers who work with us to discuss and overcome any EV challenges, our external lease providers, our facilities team with office EV charging support, our Neighbourhoods team with their early adoption of EV vans, and all at Flagship Group who support and promote our journey.”