British-based Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP) has appointed two new deputy chairs. The appointees — Lorna McAtear and Matt Hammond — replace the outgoing deputy chair, Stewart Lightbody.

Head of fleet at National Grid, McAtear is a Barbara Cox award winner, Greenfleet’s outstanding Achievement award recognizing an outstanding woman in the automotive industry who has displayed “innovation and great leadership.” the award's acknowledges the legacy of the late Barbara Cox, a business pioneer who was an owner and director of Cox Enterprises.

McAtear holds an international Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) in Road Transport Management, regularly contributes to industry conferences and round tables, and serves as an AFP board member and judge for the Fleet News Awards.

Also an AFP board member, Hammond Hammond is head of fleet for Altrad. He also is current Fleet News Fleet Manager of the Year, and a national and international CPC holder with over 12 years of experience in transport and fleet management. He is a winner of the Fleet News Safe Fleet Award, Road Risk Manager of the Year at the Brake Fleet Awards, and Fleet Manager of the Year for both the What Van and Business Car awards.

According to AFP chair Paul Hollick, the move to two deputy chairs had been made in recognition of the diversity of knowledge and skills the position demands.

“In the three years since it was created, the AFP has grown rapidly, with a large number of events, projects, committees, and training courses all underway,” Hollick explained. “The deputy chair role is important to making sure that all of these commitments are fulfilled, so it was decided that the role should be shared by two people, who are after all, volunteers.

“Stewart has done an excellent job over the last few years and we’d like to express our thanks to him for bringing great expertise and panache to the position. He remains a member of our board and a key part of the AFP.”