James, currently head of operations at Bracknell Forest Council, which includes fleet responsibility, has been promoted to head of performance and resources at the authority.
The new role, which James will take up in the near future, does not include any fleet involvement.
James was elected ACFO chairman last June having held the post of deputy chairman in 2012/13. He joined the ACFO board four years ago having been involved with the organisation for more than a decade through its South West and Wales Region.
He said: ‘My new job with the authority marks a significant career move. However, it does mean that I will have no fleet involvement and therefore I consider it to be inappropriate that I remain as chairman and a director of ACFO.
‘It is with great sadness that I relinquish both roles. I have thoroughly enjoyed my years as a director and the 12 months I have spent as chairman as well as my long-time association with the South West and Wales Region.
‘ACFO continues to go from strength to strength and I wish the organisation and its members well for the future. Meetings at a regional level as well as National Council and board meetings have always been enjoyable. I have also enjoyed promoting fleet manager issues and concerns with other organisations including Government departments, vehicle manufacturers and industry suppliers.’
ACFO has a six-strong board and at each AGM two vacant positions arise from the retirement by rotation of two directors. This year James, as well as fellow director Phil Redmond, fleet manager, IBM UK, both offered themselves for re-election as directors.
The ACFO chairman is elected annually by the directors at the first board meeting following the AGM.
James said: ‘While I was delighted to put my name forward for re-election this year and had informed the board of that fact, my new role within the authority means I have now withdrawn my candidature.’
Consequently, ACFO is now asking eligible members to consider whether they wish to stand for election as a director. Expressions of interest from eligible members must be made no later than Friday 9th May, 2014. Redmond’s position in seeking re-election is unaffected.
James concluded: ‘The 2014 AGM will be my last official duty as both a director and chairman of ACFO. I hope to see many members at the meeting to say goodbye.’
Those wishing to contest the election should contact ACFO Membership Services’ Organisation at [email protected] or go towww.acfo.org.
This year’s ACFO AGM takes place on Tuesday 3rd June and will precede a members-only seminar entitled “Another Fine Mess?” starting at 10am at the Henry Ford College, University Way, Loughborough, LE11 3TL.
The seminar will focus on the liabilities facing employees and employers when police issue a Fixed Penalty Notice or a local authority issues a Penalty Charge Notice; the fine and appeal process relating to parking in public car parks and on private land; and HR issues impacting on employers and employees when fines are levied.
ACFO members can book their seminar place by emailing the ACFO Membership Services’ Organisation at [email protected]or go to www.acfo.org. Non-ACFO members wishing to attend the seminar can do so by joining the organisation before 3rd June.
