From zero to 45: how a fleet team is racing up the FN50 rankings

Let’s face it – the world of fleet management isn’t exactly the kind of thing you’d bring up at a dinner party. But every so often, a story comes along that makes you sit up, take notice and mutter: “Now that’s impressive.” This is one of those stories.

Imagine jumping straight into the FN50 rankings — fleet’s equivalent of the Premier League table — at position 45. Not bad for a department that didn’t even exist four years ago. And yet, that’s exactly what this plucky team of eight has done.

So, how did they go from standing start to pole position? Let’s dive in…

Fleet beginnings: building a department from scratch

Back in 2019, the fleet department at Rivervale didn’t exist. Not a single vehicle to manage, not a single maintenance contract to service. It wasn’t until the arrival of a determined team leader — armed with big plans and a loyal sidekick named Sharon (20 years and counting!) — that things kicked into gear.

But it wasn’t simple. COVID-19 threw its share of challenges into the mix. Imagine trying to keep operations running when your third-party software provider goes bust mid-pandemic.

That’s what happened when their fleet management software, ODO, pulled the plug. The team, fortunately, had a Plan B in the works and pulled off a near-miraculous data migration in record time. Customers? None the wiser. The team? Exhausted but triumphant.

Fast forward to today, and this small but mighty team manages over 10,000 vehicles. (Yep, you read that right.) They’re not just managing — they’re innovating, too.

By bringing vehicle maintenance in-house and offering white-label solutions, they’ve turned their competitors into clients.

Take Select by Mobilise — a white-label maintenance solution so seamless that customers don’t even realise it’s being handled by Rivervale. Or their partnership with Red Bull, where they’re not just managing fleet needs; they’re also building relationships with a company that’s all about family vibes and team spirit.

Through their client Acosta, Rivervale also manages fleets for household names like Nestlé and Heineken.

The result? The team’s gone from handling a handful of maintenance units per month to an impressive 80 a week. That’s a serious glow-up in anyone’s book.

What’s next?

So, what’s next for this fast-moving fleet team? Well, they’re aiming to climb even higher in the FN50 rankings—targeting a spot in the 30s next year.

But it’s not just about awards (though they look great in a press release). The real goal is growing their fleet organically and building their own book of business.

To do that, they’re focusing on:

• Transitioning more vehicles from external brokers to their own management.

• Scaling up their fleet servicing and maintenance solutions.

• Shouting about their successes—because sometimes, word of mouth isn’t enough. (Watch this space for press releases and LinkedIn updates!)

Fleet’s best-kept secret

What makes this team’s journey so exciting is their ability to thrive under pressure and adapt when the stakes are high.

From managing big-name contracts like Acosta—which handles field marketing fleets for brands like Nestlé and Heineken—to developing software solutions on the fly, they’ve proven time and again that they can take on whatever challenges come their way.

And the best part? They’re still growing. With a foundation built on hard work, innovation, and a touch of good old-fashioned grit, this team is set to continue shaking up the fleet world.

So, here’s to Rivervale’s fleet team — proof that with the right people, a bit of hustle and maybe a dash of Red Bull, anything’s possible.

Keep an eye out for more updates from this incredible team. Who knows? They might just be topping the FN50 rankings before we know it.

www.rivervaleleasing.co.uk