On the 10th March, Kim Harrison, Senior Category Lead, Fleet from the Crown Commercial Service joins PSE: 365’s launch event ‘Net-Zero Government’ to share her thoughts on fleet management within the Public Sector, keeping our sector on track to achieve the government's net-zero target and how CCS can support the public sector to explore the benefits of using a blend of fleet solutions.
We caught up with Kim ahead of her joining the panel.
What has your career path been?
My career path has taken me through different sectors in public service, from Education to Health and through to Central Government.
What are your biggest challenges in either your role or the industry you work in?
The diverse customer base and their different fleet needs; with more than 1,500 customers with a collective fleet of more than 125,000 vehicles, we have to ensure our solutions are fit for the entire public sector.
In addition, the rapidly changing industry, especially in light of Covid, and with Carbon Net Zero targets.
Linking the above to the future total mobility solutions which require integrated working with, Health & Safety, HR, Sustainability teams and of course operational fleet. These multiple stakeholders have different, and sometimes competing objectives.
Q3. Where do you see fleet management frameworks going in the future?
At CCS we know we need to maintain flexibility in our approach to the market and how our customers contract for products/services. Cohesive total mobility solutions will gain greater focus, and as will supporting green solutions such as salary sacrifice schemes, extending the impact beyond business mileage through to commuting and private.
To navigate these new markets and services, the ability to call upon expert advice and consultation will be key.
What important milestones would you like to see happen in 2021?
I would like 2021 to be the year of the electric vehicle, with a great choice of product and a wider competition across the market. The evolution of the charging infrastructure is key to making this happen, so seeing this network grow over the next 12-months would be a real positive.
For our customers, a shift in the profile of their fleet would be an amazing achievement for 2021, moving away from standard internal combustion engines to clean, green alternatives.
What outcomes would you like to see by having a voice on our platform?
We would like to raise the profile of what fleets can do to support their business move to more sustainable and cost-effective solutions.
We’d like to make the public sector aware of how CCS can support with market insight, advice and commercial options across total fleet solutions.
And finally, we’d like organisations to understand that a blend of fleet solutions is key to the successful delivery of operational objectives.
Kim with be joined on our virtual event day by other public sector leaders such as Councillor Mark Jones Cabinet Member for Environment, Streetscene and Climate Change Sheffield Council, Sally Longford Deputy Leader of the Nottingham City Council and Portfolio Holder Energy, Environment and Democratic Services, Maria Dunn Head of Development Policy at Birmingham City Council and many more.
PSE: 365 is an online community housing a calendar of events to address the issues faced by the public sector. If you would like to become part of the community and join the first live event on the 10th March, Register Now.
