We start the conversation by discussing how business has been over the past 12 months. Hardy says: “It has been another year of positive organic growth for us, which of course we’re delighted with. Nonetheless, like all lease companies in the UK, we’ve been kept busy with establishing the basis of how we will tackle the impending problem of reduced used vehicle values – especially those of EVs.”
Despite the question marks over used vehicle values, Hardy goes on to tell us that pretty much each division of sales within Ogilvie Fleet has shown growth in the past 12 months. He says: “This is great news. We have seen some really positive growth in the southern area of England, where our corporate teams have been hard at work these past few years seeking out new customers. Salary Sacrifice has also seen further growth, ahead of expectations.”
According to Hardy, Ogilvie Fleet prides itself on being a disruptor, and innovation is always encouraged throughout the business. He says: “This is what helps us win and retain business. The one we are most proud of this year, is the growth of our newly created Driver Liaison Team (DLT). The DLT is a unique bridge between Ogilvie Fleet, and our clients’ drivers who need support choosing their next vehicle. It utilises our online car selector and helps them understand BIK implications from transitioning to electric, and even helps with various funding choices.
“The DLT is made up of vehicle/fleet experts, who proactively advise drivers throughout their car renewal journey. This enhanced customer/driver service helps to outsource most of the driver communications, freeing up precious time for the fleet manager. We are actively looking to grow this team even further in 2025.”
It is still early in the year, but Hardy is keen to tell us that they’re never shy about how they intend to develop the business. Firstly, they’ll be continuing to develop their ‘Happy Drivers App’. He says: “It is our direct way of communicating with drivers when they need support, or info about their vehicle quickly. Supporting drivers is right at the top of our list of development areas, as we know a lot of our growth has come from new clients who want more direct comms with, and support for, their drivers.
“We will also be further developing our Salary Sacrifice system, improving the UX and level of information provided to drivers, allowing them to make even more informed decisions.
“We’re also in the final stages of some further development work on our core system; it enhances the visual presence to users. More images of vehicles to aid choice selection, and again improvements to the UX, to help an easier flow through our online systems. In essence, our developments for the next 12 months are all based on improving technology both internally and externally; further enhancing our customer service and internal operational efficiency.
“We’re also assessing a possible investment in AI. This would allow us to unlock the data to build a 360-degree view of our business – enhancing capability for both us and our clients. More to come later in the year on that one, but guaranteed, AI will feature in our near-term future for sure.”
Business Car has recognised Ogilvie Fleet for its Best Customer Service, but we push Hardy on why he thinks they stand out against the opposition? He says: “It may be cliché, but it’s quite simple – it’s our people. The fleet experience of our team is unmatched in the industry, with our directors and senior management team having worked for Ogilvie for an average of 18 years.
“We aren’t just a faceless call centre; we are a team of real people who genuinely want to support our customers and their drivers. We provide a dedicated single point of contact for all clients, so anyone in the team is directly contactable. Plus, we don’t have complicated internal procedures – just people willing to get the job done and keep drivers moving whatever it takes.”
Finally, we talk about how winning this award will change business at Ogilvie Fleet. He says: “We know that the recognition of the award will strengthen our position as one of the leading leasing companies in the UK, and means we stand out from our competitors.
“It showcases our talents to current and potential new customers, as this award is a proven ability. The desire to win more of these awards keeps us on our toes and stops us from standing still.
“Ogilvie wins more awards than anyone else in the industry, but it’s not just because of what we say, – it’s what we do every single day for our customers and their testimonials that keep us winning. Continuing this, alongside developing our systems and growing our fleet will hopefully bring us further success at the 2025 Business Car Awards!”
