Fleet profile
In terms of our fleet, MWH has 11 brands for fleet drivers to choose from, including Mercedes, BMW, Tesla, Audi, Volvo, Hyundai, Genesis, and BYD, among others. “It’s a great selection for drivers, and we’re seeing brands like Cupra growing in popularity due to their reasonable EV pricing,” says Lindsay.
Driver safety remains a top priority for Lindsay and her team, especially over the past 12 months, which have presented additional challenges. The fleet uses a comprehensive risk management system, which all drivers must complete. “We also offer on-road driver training for high-risk drivers and closely monitor driver miles and fatigue. We’re doing everything we can to mitigate risk,” Lindsay explains.
Currently, the fleet’s accident incident rate for 2024 stands at 1.8 per cent, which is low compared to the industry average. “I’m really proud of that,” Lindsay says. “But what frustrates me is the rising costs of insurance and SMR. Despite our low incident rate, we’ve seen significant increases in these costs due to rising repair expenses – something we have no control over.” From a cost perspective, Lindsay notes that it’s difficult to influence these increases. “It’s frustrating to know we’re putting in all this effort,
but still facing a 30 per cent rise in insurance premiums this year.”
Lindsay says another big challenge in fleet right now is the uncertain market and vehicle availability. “While it’s exciting to see new brands entering the UK, the sustainability of this influx is a concern. Investing in a vehicle that could lose value if the manufacturer goes out of business – especially when we’re committing to it for four years – is a real worry. As much as I’d love to explore new options, it’s hard to take the risk when the market is so unpredictable,” she notes. The rising cost of vehicles is another issue. “A few years ago, we were looking at around £25,000 for a decent vehicle, but now we’re talking about £45,000. It’s a challenge to manage costs while also meeting expectations. As much as we’d like to offer the best vehicles possible, we can’t keep increasing costs. I do hope manufacturers can find ways to reduce prices to make them more affordable for businesses.”
“Despite my positive experience [of EV use], many drivers still have reservations, often fueled by negative press or misunderstandings.”
20 | March/April 2025 |
www.businesscar.co.uk
Shifting gears: championing women in fleet One of Linsday’s key goals is to encourage more women to join the fleet industry. “I’ve been working in the vehicle sector since I was 20, and back then, there were very few women in the field. Over the past 25 years, progress has been made, but not at the rate it should have been. I’d love to become an advocate for women entering the industry and help create a platform for them to thrive.” Last year, Lindsay took part in a course with the Association of Professional Fleet Managers called ‘Women’s Voices in Fleet,’ and describes it as one of the most inspiring experiences she has ever had. “There were 12 women in the course, ranging from those my age to younger women, all of whom were passionate and driven. It was amazing to be surrounded by so many like-minded women, and it reaffirmed my goal to be an advocate for women in fleet.
We need to continue working on making women more visible and recognised in the fleet industry. There’s so much potential for growth, and I’m excited to be part of that change,” she says. Another important area for Linsday is getting younger people interested in fleet, particularly through apprenticeships. The UK currently lacks a formal apprenticeship recognition for fleet management. I think that’s something we really need to work on to make the industry more accessible to the next generation,” she explains. “Fleet is only going to grow in importance as we move towards 2030, and it’s vital that we attract young talent. I think bringing someone in at an apprentice level and nurturing them into a future fleet manager is an exciting opportunity for both the individual and the industry.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53
