In the latest instalment of our fleet management industry executive interview series we spoke to Adam Ball (pictured), Head of Motor Fleet at Zurich Resilience Solutions, about overcoming supply chain and driver skills challenges, the impact of EV mandates on fleet operations, the potential of automated vehicles and much more…
Tell us about your company, products and services.
Zurich Resilience Solutions is the independent risk consultancy arm of Zurich Insurance Group. We have a team of risk engineers and consultants that offer consultancy services across all areas of risk including cyber, climate change, organisational resilience and, of course, motor fleet, to name a few. We are in a unique position that allows us to work independently for customers, whether they are insured with Zurich or not, and utilise the decades of insurance knowledge, data and claims insights from a diverse range of organisations.
Our fleet proposition includes holistic and targeted risk assessments, bespoke consultancy on pinpointed areas, training and partner tech solutions. We can and do work with every type of fleet, including ADR and blue light, to support them in their everyday business, be it compliance or improving safety standards.
What have been the biggest challenges the fleet services industry has faced over the past 12 months?
Due to well documented supply chain challenges, maintaining and servicing vehicles has been a huge challenge for fleet operators during 2024. Supply and retention of skilled drivers also continues to be a persistent issue, as the cost of living has driven a new job market dynamic at a time when there is a major focus on sustainability, which can bring more initial requirements for investment.
What is the biggest priority for the fleet services industry in 2025?
Put simply, overcoming the challenges I have mentioned, particularly around staff and supply chain challenges. The industry needs to navigate through this and develop robust contingencies that provide a period of stability. There are several pressures on fleet operators with sustainability goals. Gaining some stability will allow for a greater focus on those target areas and opportunities.
What are the main trends you are expecting to see in the market in 2025?
Aside from new tech adoption which we’ll touch on later, we have seen a steady increase in the transition from internal combustion engine fleets to alternative fuels, typically EV. With the Government mandating that manufacturers increase EV sales by 6% to 28% by the end of the year, that could have an impact on the existing fleet operation and organisations desire to transition and operate effectively. Conversely, we could see a slowdown in transition in 2025, as organisations continue to consider suitable and available vehicles, infrastructure and costs associated to support them.
What technology is going to have the biggest impact on the market this year?
With the Automated Vehicle Act passed into law in May 2024, it’ll be an interesting 12 months to see if this technology evolves at a pace that could make it viable for our roads, from a risk and affordability perspective. How this will be governed alongside traditional road users as well as protected against cyber threats, will also be key considerations. What we can expect to see is the continued development of AI into vehicles and telematics solutions that will move us closer to autonomous vehicles. Away from AI, additional equipment such as Alcolocks in the commercial vehicle sector will offer organisations the opportunity to improve compliance and safety standards with additional tools.
In 2025 we’ll all be talking about…?
AI. AI will grow and become embedded into every aspect of vehicle fleet operations, managing everything from repairs through to regular maintenance and logistical effectiveness. It will monitor driver safety in a more intrusive manner, monitoring compliance through eye tracking, and provide feedback for breaches in safety such as mobile phone usage. AI will ensure that vehicles are where they need to be to maximise their operational effectiveness and reduce the carbon footprint through more intelligent use.
Cyber will evolve into a greater consideration as a result. Whether those considerations are a threat towards an individual vehicle or the operation of an entire fleet, we need to assess the impact and mitigate risk. I am sure insurers will be considering cyber coverage and exposure as vehicles become more sophisticated with technology.
Which person in, or associated with, the fleet services industry would you most like to meet?
Vanessa Shanessa Jenkins from Gavin and Stacey. Ok, so she is fictional, but she was famously a roadie for The Who and did a stint as a driver for Eddie Stobart’s, all under the alias and call sign of Robert Mugabe. I’d love to get her views about life and risk on the road!
You go to the bar at the Fleet Services Management Summit – what’s your tipple of choice?
Well for two reasons it would probably be water. Firstly, I am training for my first marathon and series of running events this year. So, training effectively and staying hydrated is key. The second reason, and on a more serious note, my team and I are always advocating the implementation and testing of drug and alcohol policies with fleet operators. It’s a case of practice what we preach, as we seek to address continually high levels of vehicle collisions and unnecessary deaths within fleet operations. It is unthinkable that this testing is not a requirement. It’s great to be part of the social events but I am always mindful of the journey home too.
What’s the most exciting thing about your job?
That every day is different. All the businesses and organisations we work with have different challenges and opportunities that span across different sectors and industries, so no two days are ever the same. It helps us learn as well as grow so we can support customers with the risks of tomorrow and beyond.
And what’s the most challenging?
Influencing organisations to go beyond compliance. We see a lot of fleets with ‘good’ compliance and controls that still have significant claim volume, outliers and significant risk exposure. Organisations that work with us to take their fleet operation from ‘good’ to ‘great’ can reap the benefits through safety, sustainability, efficiency and critically important lower costs.
Netflix or Live Sport?
Oh wow this is hard. If only my TV had a Spotify Wrapped type feature it would surely tell me the answer. It’s pretty 50/50, but let’s go with sport as a preference. I love football and American football and can’t help but get captivated by other big sporting events that normally I do not follow, whether that’s Wimbledon in the summer or the magic of the darts at ‘Ally Pally’, it’s all great to watch. I like action and thrillers. Night Agent was my last Netflix watch.
