During the 2016 Fleet Europe Forum, which is taking place in Barcelona, Spain, fleet managers and stakeholders were honored during the Forum’s annual awards ceremony recognizing achievements in fleet management, safety, and technology.

Andy Leeden, Global Category Manager Fleet at AstraZeneca, received the International Fleet Manager of the Year Large Fleet 2016 and Carlo Bertolini, fleet manager Europe for Chiesi Farmaceutici, was named International Fleet Manger of the Year Medium Fleet.

Leeden successfully developed a global strategy for the 19,000 vehicles in his fleet across 72 countries, with a 100% implementation in Europe and North America. He introduced a common fleet standard in Europe across 32 markets, partnering with HR and Safety, Health and Environment, to optimize TCO with a focus on all employees driving on business, not only company car drivers. As a result Leeden realized a 14% reduction in fleet cost base over four years' fleet lifecycle, supported by the green focus with a CO2 reduction of 16% in 2015 and the ‘DriveSuccess’ safety program comprising 10 training modules . Andy showed that he truly leads the Global Fleet category, with clear objectives which he realises through simplification and standardization of processes and outsourcing.

Bertolini used a self-developed 7 Golden Rules strategy for the pharmaceutical company’s 1,600-vehicle fleet in Europe. This strategy includes a model selection based on TCO; with max CO2 cap of 120 g for the field force; the set-up of three generalist and two premium brands per country; the competition between at least two leasing companies per country; a fixed 48-months contract duration; a driver reclaim program for end of contract damages and the interdiction of SUVs, leading to an estimated cost reduction of at least 9%. Bertolini successfully introduced a fit for purpose fleet approach and this on a European level. Bertolini has implemented pilots and initiatives in car sharing, mobility, and the introduction of a corporate taxi.

LeasePlan International’s Managing Director, Jose Luis Criado, was inducted iont the International Fleet Hall of Fame. The award recognizes vehicle fleet industry leaders and pioneers who have contributed to the international fleet management profession throughout their career.

Criado was recognized for his instrumental role in setting up LeasePlan’s activities in Southern Europe and South America, paving the way for growth of car leasing in both regions. Criado is set to retire at the end of 2016, capping a 30-year career in the fleet industry.

British American Tobacco was recognized with the 2016 International Fleet Safety Award. Velma Baptiste-Destouche, global health and safety manager, and Carel Aucamp, global category manager, received the 2016 International Fleet Safety Award for their 360° safety management strategy that is at the center of the international vehicle fleet program. In 2014 Aucamp and his team developed and implemented a global fleet strategy for the 22,000-vehicle fleet that is fully oriented around safety, with three pillars: standardization of vehicle specification and OEM brands, fuel efficiency management, and fleet management. This strategy fits into the company-wide campaign called “Closing the Gap to Zero,” designed to achieve an accident- and incident-free business environment. To enhance the safety philosophy, two global driver training programs were installed, which are completed by local training programs and supported by gamification and incentives. As a result there was a 33% accident reduction within 24 months, while also reducing the cost base by more than 15 million euro year on year. As their biggest USP, Aucamp and Baptiste-Destouche underline the ability to use data to change and improve behaviour. There next safety program is rolling out a telematics program for 14,000 vehicles.

The Fleet Europe Forum’s newest award, the Smart Mobility Start-up Award was won by WeProov. The award is designed to recognize start-up companies with innovative ideas and business plans and is sponsored by Mobileye.

WeProov is an app that makes it easy for drivers to file a vehicle condition report, prior to starting the ignition, so that the driver and fleet operator, hire company or car share scheme can keep an accurate record of vehicle condition and avoid disputes about who is responsible for any damage. As part of its award WeProov will receive a €10,000 media campaign designed to help build awareness of the company.

A second and third place winner, Spiri and Assisto will receive a €5,000 and €2,500 media campaign respectively.

The Dutch company XXimo won the International Fleet Industry Awards. The ICT platform underpinning the company’s mobility card was chosen by the jury out of seven projects. It supports multimodal travelling and at the same time anticipates the full digitalization of payments, invoicing and cost allocation. Ubeeqo and SafeDrivePod received the second and third prizes.