The programme is built around a real-world scenario that directly affects operator compliance, driver wellbeing, insurance costs, and the ability to maintain an O' Licence. The morning features a highly interactive public inquiry into a complex bridge-strike accident, based on a real-life incident, involving a traffic commissioner, a barrister, and an O' Licence holder. Delegates will review evidence, question legal and compliance experts, cast verdicts, and explore how decisions are reached by Traffic Commissioners and courts, followed by immersive workshops evaluating learnings from the trial and interactive safety demonstrations involving the latest simulators and safety technology.

18 November 2026

07:00–08:00

Exhibitor set-up

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09:00–09:55

Registration, exhibition viewing and networking

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09:55–10:00

Welcome and introduction

Ann-Marie Knegt, Editor, Fleet Vision International, and Creative Director, Visie Communications

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10:00–10:20

DVSA

Speaker to be confirmed

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10:20–10:40

When the roadside tells a bigger story: What small failures can reveal about your fleet

• Go beyond the individual defect – understand what roadside officers see and the warning signs that can suggest a problem extends beyond one vehicle or driver.

• Follow the escalation – see how apparently minor shortcomings in checks, maintenance, management, and culture can combine to reveal something much more serious.

• Take the roadside view back to your fleet – learn the questions enforcement findings should prompt fleet managers to ask before somebody else starts asking them.

Jason Dearsley, Police Sergeant 407, Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (Road & IMDG); Radiation Protection Supervisor, Transport Manager CPC, Commercial Vehicle Unit, Roads Policing, Essex Police

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10:40–11:00

The SOE and IRTE perspective

Nick Elliott, IRTE Professional Sector Chair and Trustee Board Member, Society of Operations Engineers

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11:00–11:40

Coffee break, exhibition viewing and networking

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11:40–12:00

Why People Make Mistakes – A Holistic and Humanistic Approach to Risk Management 

• Discover why people make mistakes

• Find out why telling them not to is a waste of air

• Learn how to facilitate a reduced likelihood of mistakes

Joyce Elisha , Human Factors Consultant, Anker & Marsh 

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12:00–12:15

Setting the scene: How poor maintenance and operational failures can affect safety in public-sector operations

• Recognise the warning signs in maintenance, defect reporting and daily operations before they lead to unsafe vehicles and disrupted services.
• • Understand how decisions made under pressure can put drivers, crews and the public at risk.
• • Take away practical questions to test your own controls and challenge gaps in maintenance contractor oversight.

Anne-Marie Penny, Senior Road Safety Policy Adviser and Driving for Better Business Programme Lead, National Highways

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12:15–13:15

Mock conjoined Public Inquiry and Driver Conduct Hearing

* Opening remarks from the Traffic Commissioner – 5 minutes

* DVSA evidence – 15 minutes

* Driver evidence – 15 minutes

* Operator evidence – 15 minutes

* Closing submission from Laura Hadzik, followed by an interactive discussion with Richard Turfitt OBE explaining how the decision-making process works – 10 minutes

Participants

* Traffic Commissioner: Richard Turfitt OBE, Traffic Commissioner for the East of England

* Defence barrister: Laura Hadzik, Partner, Commercial Litigation, JMW Solicitors

* DVSA witness: Neil Barlow, Head of MOT Policy, DVSA [TBC]

* Operator witness, fictional local authority: Ian Humphrey, Managing Director, Peninsular Logistics, and External Fleet Manager, Powerday

* Driver witness, fictional local authority: Paul Smithson, FORS Practitioner and Director, Protea Training Company

* Clerk to the Traffic Commissioner: Ann-Marie Knegt, Editor, Fleet Vision International, and Creative Director, Visie Communications

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13:15–14:15

Lunch and exhibition viewing

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14:15–14:30

Audience vote on the Traffic Commissioner’s decision

* Richard Turfitt OBE, Traffic Commissioner for the East of England

* Laura Hadzik, Partner, Commercial Litigation, JMW Solicitors

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14:30–15:00

Learning outcomes, audience questions and panel discussion

* Panel host: Anne-Marie Penny, Senior Road Safety Policy Adviser and Driving for Better Business Programme Lead, National Highways

* Richard Turfitt OBE, Traffic Commissioner for the East of England

* Laura Hadzik, Partner, Commercial Litigation, JMW Solicitors

* Neil Barlow, Head of MOT Policy, DVSA [TBC]

* Ian Humphrey, Managing Director, Peninsular Logistics, and External Fleet Manager, Powerday

* Paul Smithson, FORS Practitioner and Director, Protea Training Company

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15:00–15:10

Closing remarks

Ann-Marie Knegt, Editor, Fleet Vision International, and Creative Director, Visie Communications

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15:10–16:00

Exhibition and outdoor vehicle viewing

Speakers at Public Sector Vehicle Forum

Anne-Marie Penny, Senior Road Safety Policy Adviser and Driving for Better Business Programme Lead, National Highways

Anne-Marie survived a life-threatening motorbike crash in 1995, fuelling her passion for road safety. After 14 years in the private sector, she joined Kent County Council in 2003, where she led motorcycle safety and the Kent and Medway Safety Camera Partnership. A trustee for the Association for Road Risk Management, she has won multiple Prince Michael International Road Safety Awards and now leads National Highways’ Driving for Better Business programme, helping organisations better manage work-related road risk.

Richard Turfitt OBE, Traffic Commissioner for the East of England and Traffic Commissioner for Scotland

Richard Turfitt joined the Health and Safety Executive in 1999 and helped establish its Litigation and Enforcement Advisory team. Richard helped to found the Health and Safety Lawyers' Association and is a serving Justice of the Peace.

Richard Turfitt was appointed Traffic Commissioner for the East of England in May 2008. Richard was appointed Senior Traffic Commissioner in June 2017.

Richard left independent practice in 1997 to prosecute on behalf of the Social Security and Health Departments.

 In 1998, he moved to the Treasury Solicitor's Department to undertake personal injury litigation. He was also responsible for managing the Prison Service's representation at inquests throughout England and Wales.

Laura Hadzik, Partner and Head of Commercial Road Transport, JMW Solicitors

Laura Hadzik joined JMW in October 2023 as a Partner and Head of the Commercial Road Transport department. A leading specialist in commercial vehicle licensing and regulation, she advises operators across the haulage, coach and bus sectors nationwide.

Laura represents clients at Traffic Commissioner hearings, including Public Inquiries and Driver Conduct Hearings, and advises on operator licensing, DVSA and other regulatory investigations, compliance systems and enforcement matters.

Before joining JMW, Laura spent almost a decade with a specialist road transport law firm. She regularly contributes to the trade press, speaks at industry events, and is recognised by Chambers and Partners for her expertise in regulatory and compliance matters.

Paul Smithson, Managing Director, Protea Training Company / FORS Practitioner

Paul Smithson has more than 35 years’ experience in the transport industry, beginning his career as a driver before progressing through roles including Driver Trainer, Compliance Manager and Transport Manager.

He co-founded Protea Training Company in 2012 and has extensive experience in driver training, operator compliance and fleet management. Paul began delivering Driver CPC training in 2009 and has been involved with FORS since 2007, initially as an operator and later as the regional FORS auditor for Yorkshire.

Today, Paul and the Protea Training team provide training and compliance support to commercial vehicle operators, helping organisations strengthen their safety, driver management and Operator Licence compliance systems. Protea also supports operators progressing through FORS accreditation from Bronze to Gold.

Ian Humphrey, Director, Peninsular Logistics / External Transport Manager, Powerday 

Ian Humphrey has more than 40 years’ experience in transport compliance, enforcement, training and fleet operations across the public and private sectors. Through Peninsular Logistics, he supports commercial operators and local authorities with compliance, training and fleet assessments, alongside his role as External Transport Manager for Powerday.

Ian spent 15 years with the Metropolitan Police Traffic Unit, specialising in HGV enforcement, vehicle examinations and collision investigation. He also helped develop ‘Operation Mermaid’, a multi-agency initiative for commercial vehicle compliance.

After his police career, Ian became a Senior Lecturer in Transport and Logistics at Havering College and later managed the Crossrail driver training programme, which trained more than 12,000 drivers. He also led compliance across the project, including implementing FORS standards.

A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and a FORS Practitioner, Ian brings extensive practical experience of fleet safety, compliance and operational management.

HOST: Ann-Marie Knegt MICJ, Creative Director, Visie Communications/ Editor, Fleet Vision International magazine

Ann-Marie Knegt MCIJ is a UK fleet industry journalist, editor, publisher and events director specialising in public-sector fleets, commercial vehicles, road safety, compliance and sustainable transport.

She is Publisher of Fleet Vision International, a quarterly publication connecting senior fleet decision-makers with industry insight, vehicle technology, operational best practice and international innovation. Through her editorial work, Ann-Marie creates informed discussion across municipal fleets, waste and recycling services, transport authorities, contractors, manufacturers and road-safety organisations.

Ann-Marie is also Events Director of FVI – THE SHOW and the driving force behind Safety Beyond Compliance and Public Sector Vehicle Forum. Her conferences bring fleet operators, regulators, legal experts, policymakers and technology providers together to examine the practical issues shaping safer, cleaner vehicle operations.

A Member of the Chartered Institute of Journalists, Ann-Marie is also a Freeman of the City of London and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Carmen. Her work focuses on building meaningful industry partnerships, sharing practical knowledge, and creating influential platforms that help public- and private-sector fleet professionals improve safety, sustainability, compliance, and operational performance.

Nick Elliott MIRTE MSOE MiCLT, Chairman, Institute of Road Transport Engineers Professional Sector Council

Nick Elliott is a specialist transport consultant based in North Yorkshire, Chairman of the IRTE Professional Sector Council and a Trustee Board member of the Society of Operations Engineers.

With more than four decades of experience in the construction materials supply sector, Nick has played an influential role in improving commercial vehicle engineering, fleet safety and operational performance.

Beginning his career as an HGV technician apprentice in the late 1970s, he progressed through fleet engineering, distribution and transport management roles before becoming National Transport Manager across all product areas. This breadth of experience has given him a strong understanding of both frontline operations and strategic leadership.

Throughout his career, Nick has worked closely with the Mineral Products Association, IRTE and SOE to promote engineering excellence, professional development and safer industry practices.

Although he stepped down from full-time employment in 2020, Nick remains actively involved in the road transport sector. Through consultancy, volunteering and industry leadership, he continues to help organisations strengthen their fleet operations, develop their people and deliver lasting improvements in safety and performance.

Jason Dearsley, Police Sergeant 407, Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (Road & IMDG); Radiation Protection Supervisor, Transport Manager CPC, Commercial Vehicle Unit, Roads Policing, Essex Police

Police Sergeant Jason Dearsley leads the Commercial Vehicle Unit and Roads Policing Training Department for Essex Police. With more than 22 years’ Roads Policing experience, Jason combines frontline enforcement with an understanding of the transport industry. He is Vice Chair of the National Carriage of Dangerous Goods Practitioners Forum, a qualified Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser and Transport Manager CPC holder, and develops and delivers specialist training nationally. Jason works closely with industry to improve compliance, safety and driver wellbeing and is a STEAM Ambassador for the Chemical Business Association. Outside policing, he is also a Trustee of a local Multi Academy Trust supporting seven primary schools.

Dr Joyce Elisha, Ph.D., MSc., BSc., Dip.CogHyp., NLP Prac, Human Factors Consultant, Anker & Marsh

Joyce began a 30-year career in Human Factors at the University of Birmingham

before working across numerous industries, including nuclear, aggregates, shipbuilding, shipping, power, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and data centers. Over her career she has specialised in ergonomic substantiation, human-factors training, human reliability assessment, safety culture assessment and improvement,

leadership training and incident investigation. Most recently, Joyce qualified to become a therapist to better understand and support people with the impact of mental health on their lives inside and outside of work.

Public Sector Vehicle Forum is designed for senior professionals responsible for the safety, compliance, maintenance and performance of public-sector and contracted vehicle fleets across the UK.

Delegates include fleet managers, transport managers, heads of service, operations directors, compliance managers, workshop managers, driver trainers, road-safety professionals and sustainability leads from local authorities, councils, government bodies, emergency services, waste and recycling organisations and public-sector contractors.

This specialist public-sector fleet event is particularly relevant to anyone overseeing refuse collection vehicles, commercial vehicles, vans, municipal vehicles or mixed fleets. It also attracts professionals involved in operator licensing, DVSA compliance, vehicle maintenance, MOT performance, defect reporting, driver management, procurement, fleet technology, workplace transport safety and the transition to cleaner vehicles.

Attendees come to share practical experience, understand emerging regulatory and operational risks, meet industry experts and identify solutions that improve roadworthiness, fleet safety and service delivery. The audience includes both strategic decision-makers and frontline specialists, creating valuable opportunities for peer learning and collaboration.

For suppliers and exhibitors, the Public Sector Vehicle Forum provides direct access to UK public-sector fleet decision-makers responsible for vehicle procurement, compliance, maintenance, safety and operational improvement.

Fleet managers face a multitude of pressures, including ensuring that vehicles and drivers comply with O’Licence requirements, maintaining operational efficiency, and implementing robust safety standards to genuinely reduce collisions, injuries, and fatalities. 

Their duty of care goes far beyond merely following compliance checklists; it involves proactive risk management, supporting driver well-being, maintaining effective maintenance programmes, overseeing contractors, and fostering a culture where safe decisions are consistently prioritised.

PLEASE NOTE: COMMERCIAL ATTENDANCE POLICY

To protect the value and exclusivity offered to our exhibitors, representatives of private-sector manufacturers, suppliers and commercial service providers attending without exhibiting will incur a commercial delegate fee of £500 + VAT.

Should the attending organisation subsequently book an exhibition stand at a future Visie Communications event, the full £500 fee will be credited against its exhibition costs.

For further information or to discuss exhibition opportunities, please get in touch with Jason Pidgeon at jason.pidgeon@visiecommunications.co.uk.

Exhibition and sponsorship opportunities

Meet the organisations helping public-sector fleets remain safe, compliant and operational.

The Public Sector Vehicle Forum exhibition brings together vehicle manufacturers, fleet hire and maintenance providers, safety and telematics specialists, weighing technology companies, professional bodies, legal experts, training providers and road-safety organisations.

Taking place at Leicester Tigers Stadium on 18 November 2026, the exhibition will give public-sector fleet, transport, waste, environmental services and compliance professionals direct access to the vehicles, technology, expertise and practical support available to improve fleet safety and operational performance.

Delegates can explore new vehicles and equipment, compare solutions, and speak directly with suppliers who understand the maintenance, regulatory, and operational pressures facing local authorities, public-sector organisations, and their contractors.

For exhibitors, the Forum offers a valuable opportunity to raise brand awareness, demonstrate expertise and build relationships with a highly focused audience responsible for essential fleet operations. Opportunities include indoor exhibition stands, outdoor vehicle displays, event sponsorship and bespoke partnership packages.

Main dinner sponsor

* Hillend Engineering Limited

Exhibitors and participating organisations confirmed so far

* Dennis Eagle

* Romaquip

* Electra Commercial Vehicles

* Hako Machines

* Spillard Safety Systems

* NineT3 Tailored Safety Solutions

* Vision Techniques (UK)

* NRG Riverside

* Fleetclear

* Vehicle Weighing Solutions (VWS)

* Society of Operations Engineers (SOE), incorporating the Institute of Road Transport Engineers (IRTE)

* Driving for Better Business (DfBB)

* JMW Solicitors LLP

* Together for Safer Roads (TSR)

* Protea Training Company

* Powerday

* Waste Industry Safety and Health Forum (WISH)

* Daimler Truck UK 

* Refuse Vehicle Solutions (RVS)

Put your organisation in front of public-sector fleet decision-makers

A limited number of exhibition and sponsorship opportunities remain available. To discuss exhibition space, outdoor vehicle displays or a bespoke sponsorship package, contact:

Jason Pidgeon

Business Development Director, Visie Communications

Telephone: 07734 678510

Email: jason.pidgeon@visiecommunications.co.uk

Partners of Public Sector Vehicle Forum

 Organiser: Visie Communications

Visie means Vision in Dutch. Visie Communications is a forward-thinking, dynamic event, communications, and publishing agency that focuses on the B2B sector. Visie launched FVI –THE SHOW, now in its fourth year, organised the OWL Road Shows for five years, and is now launching Safety Beyond Compliance and the Vehicle Procurement Forum. We specialise in delivering high-quality, targeted conferences, exhibitions, and roundtables, as well as copywriting, public relations, and social media strategy, content, media liaisons, and business consultancy.

Find out more here: www.fleetvisionintl.co.uk www.fleetvision.show

Media Partner: Fleet Vision International

Fleet Vision International is the international digital magazine aimed at fleet, transport, operational and workshop depot directors/managers dealing with sophisticated commercial fleets and frontline services. Our readers work in local authorities, contracting organisations, emergency services, construction companies, utilities, airports, and transport operations.

Published by Visie Communications, FVI is edited by Ann-Marie Knegt, MICJ, who has more than 20 years of experience covering the local authority fleet and emergency services sector. Commercial Director Jason Pidgeon has worked for 15 years in the local authority transport industry. Together, they bring you a fresh perspective on all the issues that matter.

Our mission is to create a knowledge exchange platform for the public sector, private fleets, major international cities, Government, and transport authorities.

Find out more here: www.fleetvisionintl.co.uk

Driving for Better Business

Driving for Better Business is a free programme delivered by National Highways since 2017 to help employers in both the private and public sectors reduce work-related road risk, control the associated costs, increase compliance with current legislation, and enhance the safety and well-being of staff. DfBB's tools and resources help organisations evaluate practices, strengthen culture to improve performance, and demonstrate leadership in managing work-related road risk. Organisations in the DfBB community have shown that good management practice can not only significantly reduce collisions but also deliver many business benefits, making organisations more efficient and better performing.

Find out more: www.drivingforbetterbusiness.com

The Road Haulage Association (RHA)

The RHA is the UK’s largest dedicated trade association representing HGV, coach and van operators. We provide a strong, authoritative voice for our members, working with government, policymakers and local authorities across the UK on the issues that matter most to the road transport sector. Our campaigning priorities span legislative reform, rising fuel costs, improved roadside facilities, and the transition to a net zero transport system.

Our 8,500 members benefit from access to expert technical and professional services, helping them comply with industry regulations and run their businesses efficiently. 

We also deliver a wide range of accredited training programmes to support workforce development and operational excellence.

While the majority of our members are small and medium-sized enterprises, we also represent larger operators across the sector. Proudly supporting hauliers since 1945, our membership now also includes coach and van operators.

We champion the highest standards across the industry and work to be the trusted, go-to organisation for driving business on the UK’s roads. 

Headquartered in Peterborough, the RHA also has offices in Bradford and Bathgate, Scotland.

Find out more here: https://www.rha.uk.net/

Together for Safer Roads

Together for Safer Roads (TSR) is a leading international NGO focused on building cross-sector partnerships to enhance fleet trucking safety. TSR leverages the technology, data, and expertise of the private sector to develop innovative programmes that prevent traffic crashes, injuries, and fatalities worldwide. TSR members include some of the largest and most influential fleets worldwide, as well as best-in-class road safety technology businesses – companies driven to save lives.

Find out more here: www.togetherforsaferroads.org

Protea Training Co

In 2015, Protea Training introduced the Safe Urban Driving Course to Yorkshire, followed by the delivery of FORS Practitioner workshops face-to-face across the North of England. When Covid-19 forced training online, Paul had just two weeks to redesign the FORS Practitioner workshops for virtual delivery. The programme was successfully adapted and has since supported more than 3,000 FORS Practitioners through their development.

More recently, Protea Training introduced Virtual Reality into the FORS Professional Safe Driving Course, launching the new approach in March 2025. The technology has helped create a safer, more inclusive training environment while reducing risk and ensuring the course objectives are consistently met.

Today, Protea Training supports around 50 operators through the FORS accreditation process, with 24 achieving FORS Gold, the scheme’s highest level of accreditation. The company also provides tachograph analysis and compliance support to more than 60 operators, including ongoing advice, monitoring and retraining where required.

Find out more here: https://www.proteatraining.com/

Society of Operations Engineers/ Institute of Road Transport Engineers

The Society of Operations Engineers (SOE) is a professional membership body supporting people working in engineering operations across sectors including transport, manufacturing, surveying and plant engineering. SOE supports engineers and technical professionals throughout their careers by providing access to career development, industry knowledge, events, networking opportunities, and routes to professional registration.

The Institute of Road Transport Engineers (IRTE) is a sector of the SOE that represents and supports professionals working in road transport engineering and maintenance. Through its initiatives and programmes, the IRTE helps individuals and organisations to maintain high levels of competence, safety and technical standards.

Key IRTE initiatives include the IRTEC Licence Scheme, which provides independent recognition of the skills and competence of technicians working in vehicle inspection and maintenance; the Maintenance Provision Rating Scheme (MPRS), which helps organisations demonstrate the quality and effectiveness of their maintenance operations; and IRTE Workshop Accreditation, which recognises workshops that meet defined standards for facilities, processes, equipment and technical competence.

Together, SOE and IRTE provide a trusted professional framework for engineers and technicians, supporting skills development, raising industry standards and helping build a safer, more competent and sustainable engineering workforce.

Find out more here: https://www.soe.org.uk/

JMW Sollicitors

Find out more here: https://www.jmw.co.uk/

Waste Industry Safety and Health Forum (WISH)

Find out more here: https://www.wishforum.org.uk/

Powerday

Find out more here: https://powerday.co.uk/

Hotels nearby – Leicester Tigers Stadium

HOTELS

The VOCO Leicester is adjacent to Leicester Tigers Stadium.

Non-matchday Parking:

Public parking is available at the Crumbie Car Park on non-matchdays, subject to availability.

Parking rates:

£2.50 per hour

£6.50 discounted NHS rate (valid NHS staff ID required)

£12.50 for overnight

£12.50 for all-day parking

Payment is card only and must be made upon arrival.

For further information, please contact carparking@tigers.co.uk.

Getting to Mattioli Woods Welford Road

The postcode for Sat Nav is LE2 7TR or see the directions below:

Directions by road

From M1 (North and South) and M69 (East)

• Exit the motorway at Junction 21 (M1)

• Follow the signs for the city centre via Narborough Road (A5460)

• After 3 miles turn right on to Upperton Road at the main set of traffic lights after the petrol station on your left. (follow signs to Royal Infirmary)

• Continue over the River Soar

• Straight over the roundabout onto Walnut Street

• The stadium in Approximately ½ mile ahead.

• Stay in right hand lane to access Main Reception and follow road round stadium (Right hand lane) to access Crumbie Car Park.

From A6 (South)

• Coming in via London Road

• Car garage on right, left at roundabout onto Victoria Park Road (signs for Freemans Common Ind Estate)

• Main set of traffic lights and cross roads turn right onto A5199 towards city centre (stay in left hand lane)

• Straight through 1 set of traffic lights

• Turn right on to Aylestone Road

• The stadium and access to Crumbie car park are on your right hand side

From A5199 (South)

• Follow signs for city centre

• Main set of traffic lights and cross roads, straight on towards A5199/ city centre (stay in left hand lane)

• Straight through 1 set of traffic lights

• Turn right on to Aylestone Road

• The stadium and access to Crumbie car park are on your right hand side

From A426 (South)

• Follow signs for the city centre, coming in via Aylestone Road

• The stadium and access to Crumbie car park are on your right hand side.

From A47 (East)

• Follow signs for the city centre coming in via Uppingham Road

• Straight on at the roundabout towards the city centre and central ring road A594 (railway station)

• St Georges Way past the train station on your left (stay in right hand lane)

• Bear left (middle lane) towards central ring A594

• Bear right onto Waterloo Way (not A6)

• Stadium ahead in approx 1 mile

• Keep right at traffic lights to follow road around stadium (through three sets of traffic lights)

• Turn right on to Aylestone Road

• The stadium and access to Crumbie car park are on your right hand side.

Directions by rail

London Road Railway Station is a 15 minute walk from the stadium. Upon arrival turn right out of the station, cross the road, turn left on to Waterloo Way, continue to the top of the hill onto Tigers Way and Mattioli Woods Welford Road is directly in front.

East Midlands Railway is a long-distance UK train operator, dedicated to making sure you have a safe, enjoyable journey – wherever you’re headed. It’s our vision to drive the East Midlands towards a brighter future, working in partnership to connect cities, support communities and create easier journeys for everyone. We serve passengers throughout the East Midlands travelling to and from London, South Yorkshire, the East of England, the West Midlands and the North.