Expanding Ogilvie Fleet has underlined its market-leading position to win a prestigious industry ‘Oscar’ for the second consecutive year.

The Stirling headquartered company with offices in Sheffield retained the Leasing Company of the Year (up to 20,000 vehicles) trophy at the annual awards hosted by industry publication Fleet News. Ogilvie Fleet was also highly commended in the Customer Service Award category.

Known as the fleet industry ‘Oscars’, the awards were presented at a glittering ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel hosted by TV presenter Steph McGovern and attended by almost 1,000 people.

Last year, Ogilvie Fleet increased its leased company car and van fleet to more than 16,500 units with a further 2,740 units under fleet management. The total fleet size is currently 19,313, up 900 units or 4.8% on the 12 months previously.

What’s more, in a challenging market the number of Ogilvie Fleet direct supply corporate customers increased by more than 100 during the past 12 months with new clients having an average fleet size of 38 vehicles each.

Ogilvie Fleet has won more than 20 fleet industry awards in the past decade and this ‘Oscar’ is the company’s third having previously won last year and the Customer Service Award, in 2012.

The Fleet News Awards are now in their 32nd year and this year’s judging panel in making the presentation to Ogilvie Fleet specifically cited the benefits of the company’s ‘Happy Drivers App’ and additional functionality added in the past year.

“It provides a raft of in-life vehicle information that aims to reduce the administration burden for fleet decision-makers, including nearest fuel station and electric vehicle charging point, and a vehicle wear and tear checklist,” said the judges.

Additionally, to help fleets transition to plug-in vehicles, updates have been made to Ogilvie Fleet’s website, including the introduction of dedicated sections on electric vehicles, information on why fleets need to consider electric and on where and how to charge. That information was also published in the company’s first electric vehicle brochure, distributed to clients and prospects at events throughout the year and via a direct mail-out.

The citation concluded: “It has all helped Ogilvie Fleet achieve another successful year, with a client retention rate of 99.3% and a contract win rate of 63%.”

Gordon Stephen, managing director, Ogilvie Fleet, said: “It is fantastic that the company has retained the Leasing Company of the Year (up to 20,000 vehicles) ‘Oscar’ and been highly commended in the customer service category.

“The results the company has recorded in the past 12 months is a fantastic business achievement, especially considering the challenges of the market, particularly with regards to legislation, environmental considerations, technology advances and vehicle powertrain developments.

“The pace of change currently being witnessed in our industry is unprecedented and Ogilvie Fleet has spent the year ensuring that it is at the forefront of our sector, embracing change and then imparting our new knowledge with clients. We have been relentless in our approach, despite the challenges around our industry.

“The expansion Ogilvie Fleet has achieved is testament to the company’s hard-working teams, dedication to customer service and innovation, and our increasing volume of referrals from clients, which itself is the source of the vast majority of new business we have won and the growth in the fleet in the past 12 months, and in recent times.

“Ongoing client retention is testimony to Ogilvie Fleet’s innovative approach to business and unbeatable customer service – a cornerstone on which the company operates alongside consistent investment in technology and flexible and transparent contracts.

“Measuring customer satisfaction and genuinely providing industry-leading levels of service underpins all that Ogilvie Fleet does to differentiate the business in the UK fleet and leasing market.

“In the last 10 years Ogilvie Fleet is, we believe, the most prolific winner of various industry awards. That performance has cemented the company’s position as the number one vehicle contract hire and leasing business.”