I WENT along to the BVRLA dinner last week to witness John Lewis’s last supper – so to speak.
The chief executive of the BVRLA (British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association) is stepping down this year and a new chief exec will be in place this time next year.
He was given fulsome praise by chairman Neil Cunningham – quite rightly so – saying that John had revolutionised BVRLA in the 12 years since he took up the position.
John’s not quite going yet: he will be retained in an advisory capacity in a part time role.
Apart from those words for John, Neil Cunningham had some interesting facts to scatter around about the BVRLA, which now operates a record 2.7 million vehicles, including the news that the association is due to publish new research put together by Oxford Economics.
“I think we are too modest as an industry,” said Neil. “The BVRLA needs a louder voice. This research will deliver it.”
So what can we expect from this BVRLA research by Oxford Economics?
- The leasing and rental sector contributes over£14bn to the UK economy – nearly 1% of GDP
- BVRLA members purchased 220,000 UK made cars in 2012
- The average CO2 emissions brought onto fleet were 20% below the average car on the road
- Car rental is playing a greater role in sustainable mobility
These, clearly, are just tasters. But a bigger voice from the BVRLA? That’s to be welcomed.