As operational demands on light commercial vehicle fleets reach an all-time high, industry leaders will gather at the free-to-attend Great British Fleet Event on 16 April 2026 for a specialist seminar to address critical safety and compliance gaps facing the sector.

The GBFE 2026 Masterclasses will help you level up your fleet strategy

Taking place as one of five expert-led Masterclass sessions running throughout the day at Arena MK in Milton Keynes, the ‘Managing Vans and LCV Fleets: A Different Challenge’ session will bring together three distinct perspectives – enforcement, operational management and procurement expertise – to help van operators tame rising challenges.

Whether you manage a handful of vans or a massive public sector fleet, the session will help deliver a roadmap for a safer, more efficient fleet. Attendees will also have the chance to engage directly with our experts during an interactive panel Q&A following the presentations.

Bridging policy and practice

The session will open with an expert talk from Gareth Jones, group fleet compliance manager at Speedy Hire, on the human element of fleet management. With a 40-year career spanning from manual records to digital telematics, Jones will bring a wealth of knowledge, hands-on expertise and a deep understanding of fleet operations and compliance.

His talk will look at the latest evolutions and challenges in van fleet management to shed new light on high-level fleet policies and daily practice on the ground.

The enforcement reality

The second speaker on the podium will be Mark Horton, enforcement policy manager at the DVSA, who will deliver a sobering look at roadside realities.

Drawing on 28 years of experience, Horton will highlight the persistent issues that trigger enforcement action, specifically targeting vehicle overloading and poor maintenance.

His presentation will focus on the ‘vital signs’ of vehicle safety – brakes, tyres and load security – detailing how the DVSA identifies and manages non-compliant vehicles. Horton will also look at the consistently high first-time failure rate for van MOTs and the danger areas for operators.

Strategic fleet evolution

Rounding out the panel, Giles Bolton, sales director at Grosvenor Leasing, will provide insight into the evolving landscape of LCV procurement and corporate finance.

With over two decades of experience in the leasing sector, Bolton will highlight how strategic vehicle selection and financial planning are essential to maintaining a modern, safe, and compliant fleet.

Level up your fleet strategy with expert-led Masterclasses

The seminar will give attendees actionable insights on how to reduce MOT failure rates, implement advanced safety features, and stay ahead of increasingly stringent DVSA roadside inspections. Attendees can engage directly with our experts during a post-presentation interactive Q&A.

The ‘Managing Vans and LCV Fleets: A Different Challenge’ session is one of five dedicated Masterclasses running throughout the day

Whether you’re managing a public sector department or a private enterprise, this is your opportunity to seek specific advice on compliance, leasing strategies and roadside enforcement.

Fleets attending the show will also be able to hear from a diverse line-up of other industry leaders across four additional, dedicated Masterclass sessions.

These speakers range from strategic giants to those on the front line of fleet management, sharing practical advice on areas that will also include EV transition, sustainability, robust fleet management and risk mitigation.

Full details on all Masterclass sessions and speakers will be revealed in the coming days.

For more details and for your free ticket to sign up to the show, please click here.