FORS – the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme – has reported its busiest-ever annual conference as a record-high number of visitors attended to gain practical advice on compliance, safety and business efficiencies.
The event, held on 2 November at the International Conventional Centre in Birmingham, focused on the theme of ‘Building a resilient FORS Community for the road ahead’.
More than 40 exhibitors were in attendance, plus a diverse range of speakers. Presentations and panel discussions from the FORS and GSAG (Governance, Standards and Advisory Group) teams, covered a range of topics covering accreditation, stakeholder management, training and updates to the FORS Standard.
FORS concession director Geraint Davies and technical advisor Glen Davies spoke about the success of the Future of Accreditation programme, which has seen initiatives such as a redesign of the Bronze Audit to ensure it is fully aligned to both Operator Licence undertakings and the DVSA’s Earned Recognition scheme.
The Future of Accreditation team has also published a new competence framework for fleet auditors with five progressive training modules. To ensure continuous improvement, a new post-audit satisfaction survey has now been established.
Delegates were informed of updates to the FORS Professional training portfolio as well as a redesign and simplification of the website. FORS also underscored its commitment to a continuing digital transformation with the promise of a new digital audit solution in 2024.
Future focuses include work to target emerging and growing sectors such as cargo bikes and single van operators, as well as a focus on growing accreditation for passenger carrying vehicles (PCVs).
Updates to the FORS Standard are expected to be published early in the new year, with Version 7 effective from summer 2024. While this will only bring minor changes to most existing requirements, in line with best practice, operators will see a big difference in environmental expectations.
The FORS conference also included information on ways to improve performance and compliance in partnership with external agencies, as discussed by senior traffic commissioner Richard Turfitt and DVSA head of enforcement Marian Kitson.
Also present at the conference was former logistics managing director, Rebecca Jenkins, who gave delegates pointers to build greater resilience into their business through what she defined as “relentless innovation”.
And Shireen Ali-Khan, engagement specialist at Women in Transport, shared practical ways to ensure representation of women and minority groups are at the forefront of company culture, with the understanding that diverse teams are “more innovative, problem-solving and profitable”.
Road safety was explored by key speakers including headline sponsor Drivetech, represented by UK commercial consultant Anthony Marco, along with Project Edward director Darren Lindsey and National Highways’ Mark Cartwright, head of the Commercial Vehicle Incident Prevention Team.
A full review of the conference can be found here while a YouTube video is online here.
