Story: MATT MORTON
THE chairman of the judges for the first Business Car Manager SME Company Car of the Year awards is Phil Orford, chief executive of the Forum of Private Business.
The Forum of Private Business is a proactive business support organisation focused on the growth and profitability of small businesses.
As chairman, Phil heads a panel of lead judges in the four key areas that are critical to success in the SME company car market.
Cars:
Judge: John Griffiths (former motoring correspondent Financial Times, now Industry correspondent, Business Car Manager)
Tax:
Judge: Professor Colin Tourick (director Colin Tourick Associates, a fleet and tax expert, and author of the recent book Company Car and Van Tax 2012-13)
Running costs:
Judge: Roger Woodward (managing director, CD Auction Group, the leading online vehicle remarketing specialists and an SME business owner)
SME programmes:
Judge: Martin Brown (managing director of Fleet Alliance, a leading leasing and fleet management supplier to the SME market. Martin is also Chairman of the leasing broker committee at the BVRLA)
“Keeping the SME business at the heart of our awards was essential,” commented Business Car Manager editor, Ralph Morton.
“All our four lead judges have expert business knowledge and a keen awareness of the small and medium-sized enterprise sector.
“I’m also very grateful that Phil Orford has agreed to chair the judges. The Forum has long campaigned for small businesses, so the focus of our judges could not be more exact.”
The unique SME Company Car of the Year awards, presented by Business Car Manager in association with MAGMA Automotive Services are designed to highlight the best company cars and car support programmes available to SMEs in the market.
There are seven categories manufacturers can enter, as well as a readers’ award and two trophies decided by the judges based on entries into the first seven categories.
The categories
- Most Cost-Efficient Car for an SME to buy
- Most Cost-Efficient Car for an SME Company Car Driver
- Best Company Car for SME Directors
- Best Company Car for SME Business Owners
- Best Company Car for SME Drivers
- Best Finance and Service Package for SMEs
- Best SME Company Car Programme
In addition, we shall be awarding three further categories:
- Best Company Car for SMEs – Readers’ Choice
- Best Overall Company Car for SMEs
- SME Champion Manufacturer
The winners of the SME Company Car of the Year awards, presented by Business Car Manager in association with MAGMA Automotive Services, will be announced in January 2013.