Fleet News Group

Supporting the Next Generation: Louise Azzopardi on Apprenticeships, Diversity and Workshop Culture

In this episode of the Fleet News Group Podcast, we talk with Louise Azzopardi — life coach, mentor, keynote speaker, and industry ambassador — about how fleet workshops can attract, train, and retain the next generation of mechanics and technicians.Louise shares her remarkable journey from a 15-year-old apprentice at Cummins South Pacific to becoming the first female Gold Medallist in the Australian National Heavy Vehicle competition and representing Australia with the Skillaroos.She now helps organisations build better workplace cultures and gives practical advice for fleet managers:Using work experience to find talent earlyCreating a shame-free learning environmentTraining leaders to teach, not just superviseEmbracing diversity as a strengthIt’s an inspiring and practical conversation for anyone managing workshops or apprentices.Stay up to date with ALL THINGS FLEET, Fleet Auto News, Fleet EV News, and Fleet HV News.#FleetManagement #Workshops #Apprenticeships #Diversity #Training #Leadership

World EV Day Special: ANC’s Bold Push for Zero-Emission Deliveries

In this episode of the Fleet News Group podcast, we sit down with Joe Sofra, CEO of ANC Delivers, to explore the company’s bold journey to electrify last mile deliveries. With a history stretching back over 100 years — from delivering theatre tickets on bicycles to powering today’s e-commerce giants like Bunnings, IKEA, JB Hi-Fi, and Telstra — ANC has built its reputation on innovation and customer experience.Joe reflects on the landmark 2019 partnership with IKEA that committed to 100% zero-emission home deliveries by 2025, a move that pushed ANC to the forefront of sustainability in logistics. He candidly shares the challenges of starting with first-generation EVs, the learning curve of range anxiety, charging solutions, and engaging contractor drivers in the transition.By World EV Day 2025, ANC reached a major milestone: more than 100 electric vehicles on the road. Joe explains how this achievement has deepened relationships with partners and delivery professionals, while also transforming the customer experience — from quieter streets to greener driveways.Looking ahead, ANC is targeting 300+ EVs by 2028 and is rethinking efficiency with a “carbon cost per order” approach, aiming to do more with fewer vehicles. For Joe, the mission is clear: electric vehicles are not just viable for metro last mile deliveries — they’re the future.This conversation highlights ANC’s role as a pioneer of zero-emission logistics and its commitment to creating lasting smiles for customers while cutting carbon emissions.

From Rally Stages to Safer Roads: Goal Setting, Driver Training & Fleet Safety

In this episode of the Fleet News Group podcast, we’re joined by New Zealand rally champion and road safety advocate Hayden Paddon. From grassroots motorsport to standing atop a WRC podium, Hayden shares lessons from a career built on goal setting, strategy, and managing risk under pressure.We unpack how those same principles apply to fleet operations—whether it’s building a culture of calm and competent driving, introducing practical driver training, or rethinking how we prepare drivers for life on busy roads. Hayden also discusses his latest initiative to bring motorsport-based driver education to young Kiwis and why the vehicle should be treated as a workplace.Whether you're managing five vehicles or five thousand, this conversation is packed with insights to help you influence safer driving behaviours across your organisation.

EVs, NVES and Novated Leasing: Scott Maynard Talks the Future of Driving Electric

In this episode of the Fleet News Group Podcast, we sit down with Scott Maynard, Managing Director of Polestar Australia, to unpack his first year in the role and how the brand is staying true to its sustainability roots while scaling up.Scott shares insights on Polestar’s changing sales model, its role in backing the NVES policy during a contentious election campaign, and how the local market has responded to the launch of Polestar 3 and the high-performance, low-emission Polestar 4 – now the brand’s best-selling model.We also explore:How novated leasing has accelerated EV adoption, now accounting for 60% of Polestar’s ordersWhy Polestar believes "we don't have a sustainability strategy, we have a sustainable business strategy"The future of bi-directional charging with Polestar 3 and V2G techLocal testing of the upcoming Polestar 5 and the anticipated arrival of Polestar 7, a compact SUV built for Australia’s most popular vehicle segmentThe road ahead for EV adoption in Australia and what it will take to reach critical massAs Scott puts it, “Some myths were never true, and others are long gone – the tech has moved on, and so have we.”

From Spreadsheets to AI: Andy Graham on 30 Years of Fleet Tech Evolution

In this episode of the Fleet News Group podcast, we sit down with Andy Graham from Evolve Fleet to unpack the evolution of fleet management technology — from magnetic tapes and Access databases in the 1990s, to integrated enterprise platforms, AI-driven insights, and real-time vehicle monitoring in 2025.With over three decades in the industry — including leadership roles at Custom Fleet, SG Fleet and Splend — Andy shares candid stories about the early days of compliance without email, the challenges of system integration, and the cultural shift needed to make the most of today's connected tech."People think fleet is just putting vehicles on the road – but the complexity is enormous," he says.We also dive into emerging trends including EV infrastructure, subscription mobility, and how Evolve Fleet is automating high-friction processes across more than a million vehicles.Follow, share and listen now on Spotify.