The BVRLA honoured some of the vehicle rental and leasing industry’s finest at the association’s Annual Dinner at the London Hilton last week.
The event, attended by around 750 industry colleagues and guests, was joined by comedian and actor Omid Djalili who provided the evening’s entertainment.
BVRLA Chairwoman Nina Bell started proceedings by taking to the stage acknowledging the association’s successes during 2019 and outlining its priorities for the year ahead:
“Your association has continued to focus on strengthening our industry’s reputation, ensuring that we have a loud voice with government policymakers, and we are using that voice to open more doors in the corridors of power than ever before.
“In 2020 we are focused on tackling the big issues facing our industry including; Clean Air Zones and the raft of emerging air quality measures, the future of mobility, data and digitalisation, a fairer motoring tax regime and not to be forgotten - doing business beyond Brexit.”
BVRLA Chief Executive Gerry Keaney introduced those being given special recognition for their achievements, announcing Peter Cakebread as the winner of the Freddie Aldous Outstanding Contribution Award:
“Peter has been an active member of the association for more than 20 years, helping to shape the sector and make it the force that it has become today. Peter has performed every role it is possible for a BVRLA member to perform with commitment and selflessness.”
Peter was the second person to receive the coveted award, first introduced last year in honour of the BVRLA’s Honorary Life President Freddie Aldous, who passed away in 2017.
Unable to attend the event in person, Peter expressed his delight at receiving this recognition:
“I am delighted to accept this award. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in our great industry and feel privileged to have made so many great friends. I am thrilled that any contribution I’ve made so far has been recognised.”
Others to be recognised during the evening were Naomi Kerr and Emma Gilmour, both from Arnold Clark Car & Van Rental. The two were commended for achieving the joint highest scores amongst all those who successfully completed the BVRLA IMI Rental Operator Skills Award during 2019.
Rachael Dean of Alphabet and Jo Humphreys of Low Cost Vans were both awarded the BVRLA Industry Hero Award, recognising their performance and exceptional contribution in their respective fields and organisations.
The celebratory and generous tone ran throughout the evening with guests digging deep to generously donate over £10,500 to the event’s chosen charity, BEN, which specialises in providing emotional and financial support to former and existing automotive industry employees.
-ENDS-
