The forum kicked off with a keynote presentation from Toby Poston, Chief Executive of the BVRLA, who painted a vivid picture of the current landscape in leasing and fleet management. He focused on three major themes that are shaping the sector today:

• Decarbonization: Transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs) is complex. From the need for a robust charging infrastructure to the fluctuating used EV market, Toby laid out the key challenges fleet operators are facing as they make the switch to greener solutions.
• Regulatory Scrutiny: With regulatory demands becoming more stringent, Toby emphasized how the increasing complexity of regulations is reshaping the industry. Staying ahead of these changes is vital for long-term success.
• Adaptability & Change: The relationships between OEMs, fleet managers, and regulators are constantly shifting. Toby urged the audience to remain flexible and agile to respond to these changes effectively.

Key takeaway? Navigating these industry challenges requires flexibility, knowledge, and innovation—traits that Sofico is committed to supporting with its solutions.

Sofico’s Miles Retail Modules took center stage next, presented by Wim Knuts and Arnaut Van De Perre. This session focused on how the Miles Retail Modules offer businesses the flexibility to navigate a rapidly evolving market. Here’s a look at what was discussed:

• Modular Flexibility: The ability to tailor solutions for both direct and indirect sales models provides unmatched flexibility to customers, allowing them to scale as needed.
• Real-World Applications: Wim and Arnaut shared examples of how Sofico’s solutions are driving customer value, helping businesses stay agile in a changing market.
• Customer-Driven Innovation: Through a live poll, attendees shared their top challenges, ensuring Sofico’s continued development remains aligned with customer needs and industry changes.

Key takeaway? The modular approach of Miles Retail enables businesses to adapt quickly to new market demands, ensuring they stay competitive in the fast-evolving fleet and retail finance space.

After a brief coffee break, Sofico’s Perry Mace and Richard Kidby showcased the latest updates to Miles Enterprise, designed to streamline fleet management and increase operational efficiency. Highlights included:

• Miles Salary Sacrifice: As salary sacrifice schemes grow in popularity in the UK, this feature offers fleet managers and employees an efficient, cost-effective way to manage fleet expenses.
• New Features in Miles Enterprise: Richard took the stage to walk attendees through new features aimed at improving fleet management processes. The session was filled with insights on how these features can reduce operational complexity and enhance user experience.

Following this, the interactive Q&A session provided attendees with a chance to dive deeper into the platform’s capabilities.

Key takeaway? With features like Miles Salary Sacrifice and ongoing updates to Miles Enterprise, Sofico continues to deliver solutions that help fleet operators stay efficient and ahead of the curve.

One of the standout moments of the event was the Land Rover off-road driving experience. Set against the scenic Malvern Hills, attendees navigated challenging terrain while networking in a more relaxed, yet exhilarating, environment. This innovative networking opportunity combined business and adventure in a way that made it easy to bond and share insights outside of the formal setting.

Key takeaway? Great ideas can emerge in unexpected settings, and sometimes the best networking happens when you step away from the boardroom.

The day concluded with a dinner at the Cottage in the Woods hotel, where attendees enjoyed delicious food and drinks in a relaxed, picturesque environment. This was the perfect setting for reflecting on the day’s discussions, building relationships, and continuing the conversations sparked earlier.

Key takeaway? Networking isn’t just about exchanging business cards—it’s about building relationships and sharing experiences that lead to new opportunities for growth.

The UK Customer Forum 2025 was more than just a day of learning—it was a platform for sharing ideas, exploring innovative features, and discussing the future of fleet and retail finance. We’re excited to continue these conversations and provide more opportunities for our customers to connect, learn, and grow.

Don’t miss out on the next Sofico Customer Forum—it’s where the future of fleet and retail finance is being shaped. Stay ahead of the curve, connect with experts, and discover how Sofico is helping businesses like yours thrive in a changing landscape. Keep an eye out for updates on upcoming forums in your region!