Describe what Asset Alliance Group does and what your role in the company entails?
Vehicle specialist Asset Alliance Group supplies trucks, trailers, coaches and buses with tailored vehicle requirements supported by award-winning lending, contract hire, rental and finance packages. I was appointed in January of this year to support customers with their decarbonisation journeys.
Tell us about your previous experience in the transport industry?
I started my road transport career joining one of the largest parcel carriers in the UK on a graduate scheme. This allowed me to become immersed in all aspects of the parcel journey, and emphasised the importance that commercial vehicles play.
Once I ‘graduated’, I began working in public affairs at the parcel carrier. The role that public policy has in business is huge, and focusing on environmental and sustainability aspects of this was a natural fit.
In 2021, I moved to start-up electric manufacturer Volta Trucks, leading on UK policy and public affairs. This enabled me to further push for regulation and policy changes to encourage and incentivise the take up of battery electric vehicles within the commercial vehicle sector.
Volta Trucks went into administration at the end of 2023 but was subsequently bought from administration by Luxor Capital Partners.
What steps is Asset Alliance Group taking to decarbonise vehicles?
We are developing a strategy that will fundamentally evolve our business in preparation for the next generation of vehicles. To support operators in implementing low and zero-emission vehicles not only will financing play an even more important role, but supplying the right infrastructure to ensure the most efficient vehicle utilisation will be critical.
That is why we are having conversations with a broad range of stakeholders including OEMs, infrastructure and software and data solutions providers so that we have the right strategic partners to support our customers from the start of their net-zero journey, through to full fleet utilisation and infrastructure maintenance.
This strategy will allow Asset Alliance Group to pivot into providing a consultative service for customers, working with them on understanding the benefits of the available technologies, what’s most suitable and how best to finance it.
Does the company favour one technology – battery electric or hydrogen – over another?
There is no favouring of one technology over another. It is the customer that decides what best suits their operation depending on the numerous variables and differences that exist between technologies. My role is to empower our customers’ decarbonisation decisions.
Financing is one of the key challenges in the decarbonisation of transport. What can Asset Alliance Group do to help operators?
Our ability to support customers is unique given the scope of commercial vehicles that we can source and finance. Not only can Asset Alliance Group provide a comprehensive range of finance solutions for vehicles at best-in-class rates, but we can also provide the full fleet maintenance packages that operators need and expect.
Rob Gwynn, Strategic Development Manager for Asset Alliance Group