Our Industry Awards Roundup for 2023

FOD Mobility Group: The Driving Force Behind Fleetondemand and Mobilleo

FOD Mobility Group, the powerhouse behind Fleetondemand and Mobilleo, has been celebrated in 2023 with several industry awards for its significant growth and innovation in the mobility technology sector. The company has witnessed record transactional growth with its Fleetondemand ground transportation product and the B2B MaaS platform, Mobilleo.

In response to this expansion, the group relocated to a larger headquarters in Yorkshire in October last year to accommodate the company’s growing operations.

CEO Justin Whitston is committed to ensuring the company remains a leader in the mobility services sector, with over £2.85 million invested in product development. “Our performance showcases resilience against the challenges faced by the travel and automotive industries, with continued organic growth anticipated,” he remarked.

The company’s positive trajectory is highlighted by the announcement of two significant customer projects in the UK and pan-Europe. These initiatives, powered by Mobilleo and Fleetondemand respectively, underscore the company’s ongoing success and innovation in the field.

Impact

As businesses continue to globally rebound post-pandemic, FOD Mobility Group rides a wave of success with an impressive revenue growth of £30.1 million heading into 2023. This financial upswing is a testament to the company’s resilient strategies and the increasing demand for its innovative mobility solutions.

Fleetondemand, the group’s automotive mobility platform, has been a significant contributor to this success. The platform experienced a surge in vehicle rental transactions, clocking over 500,000 vehicle rental days. This spike in usage reflects the market’s growing confidence in and reliance on FOD Mobility Group’s services.

Adding to the success story is FOD Ride, the newly integrated taxi and private hire service on the Fleetondemand platform. Since its integration, FOD Ride has witnessed a substantial demand, with over 51,000 new bookings processed in the last year alone, underscoring the service’s popularity and the group’s expanding customer base.

The company isn’t just growing financially; its global footprint is expanding as well. 2022-2023 saw FOD Mobility Group extending its reach into Europe, opening offices in Ireland, Germany, and France. And the expansion doesn’t stop there; plans are already in motion to establish presence in Belgium, Spain, and Holland with three additional offices set to open by the year’s end.

 

The Financial Times’ 1000 Europe’s Fastest Growing Companies

🏆 FEATURED: Financial Times FT 1000

The Financial Times, in collaboration with Statista, annually feature Europe’s fastest-growing companies in their esteemed FT 1000 list. This annual list shines a spotlight on 1,000 companies that have exhibited extraordinary revenue growth between 2018 and 2021.

The FT 1000 list is a celebration of the innovative and fast-growing companies that serve as the backbone of Europe’s economy. These companies are job creators, innovation incubators, and major contributors to Europe’s global competitiveness.

The list aims to bring public visibility to these exceptional performances, showcasing the companies that are driving economic growth and creating opportunities across the continent.

Award Criteria

Revenue Requirements: Companies must have generated at least €100,000 in revenue in 2018 and a minimum of €1.5 million in 2021 to be considered.

Independence & Location: Eligible companies should operate as independent entities (not subsidiaries or branch offices of other companies) and must be headquartered in Europe.

Organic Growth: The ranking considers companies that have experienced primarily organic revenue growth (not through acquisitions) between 2018 and 2022.

 

The Northern Tech Awards

🏆 WINNER: Northern Tech Awards Top 15 Fastest Growing Larger Tech Companies

🏆 WINNER: Northern Tech Awards Top 100 Fastest Growing Tech Companies

Since 2014, the annual Northern Tech Awards have spotlighted the leading technology businesses headquartered in the North of England and Scotland. Created by GP.Bullhound, these awards are a celebration of innovation, acknowledging the groundbreaking technologies and businesses that are making waves in the industry.

The Northern Tech Awards is a vibrant gathering of leaders in the Digital Economy. With attendees including CEOs, entrepreneurs, and business leaders, it provides a unique networking opportunity, allowing like-minded professionals to connect and exchange ideas. Run as a not-for-profit event, it’s backed by GP Bullhound and a select group of sponsors committed to supporting entrepreneurship in the North.

The 2023 Northern Tech Awards were held at Edinburgh’s iconic Assembly Rooms. Hosted by award-winning broadcaster Vanessa Collingridge and featuring a keynote by Calum Smeaton, Founder of TVSquared, the event brought together 250 of the region’s top tech minds to celebrate the leading tech businesses in the North of England and Scotland.

Award Criteria

Revenue Growth: Companies must demonstrate at least three years of revenue growth, with a minimum revenue of £500k in 2020.

Geographical Location: To be eligible, companies must be based in the North of England or Scotland.

Ranking: Qualifying companies are ranked in order of revenue.

 

Go-Hi Powered by Mobilleo: The All-in-One Travel Companion 🌐

In June 2021, in collaboration with HITRANS, we launched the Go-Hi app, a user-friendly travel companion designed to simplify the lives of those residing in Scotland’s Highlands and Islands.

Powered by FOD Mobility Group’s Mobilleo MaaS platform, Go-Hi offers Scottish residents’ instant access to a range of travel and accommodation services. Whether it’s transportation—be it bus, train, taxi, ferry, or plane—or accommodation and bike hire services for city travel, Go-Hi is a one-stop solution. The platform also supports Demand Responsive Transport (DRT), car clubs, and car hire services, making travel seamless and hassle-free.

Developed through a collaborative effort with partners like Enterprise Car Club, Hi-Bike, Brompton Bike Hire, and others, Go-Hi is a testament to the positive impact that can be achieved when private and public sector organisations unite.

Funded by the Scottish Government through the Transport Scotland’s MaaS Investment Fund, Go-Hi underlines the local government’s dedication to promoting sustainable and convenient travel solutions for its residents.

The initiative was born out of a vision to showcase the tangible benefits of Mobility as a Service (MaaS), providing travel options that are not only convenient but also sustainable and environmentally responsible. 🌿

Impact

Go-Hi is the UK’s largest MaaS deployment to date, serving the vast region of Scotland’s Highlands and Islands. Since its launch, the app has garnered the attention and trust of users, with over 3,000 unique downloads and registrations.

This year, we’re teaming up with the esteemed mobility charity, Motability, to roll out a mobility credits scheme. This exciting initiative is all set to make travel even more accessible and affordable for everyone.

The Highland Council has also given Go-Hi their nod of approval, adopting the platform to offer their employees alternative, hassle-free mobility options for both commuting and business travel.

The Go-Hi app has simplified the provision of employee mobility for the council and has significantly reduced administrative work related to travel. Now, that’s what we call travelling smart and stress-free! 🌟

 

The Scottish Transport Awards

🏆 WINNER: Most Innovative Transport Project of the Year

The Scottish Transport Awards celebrate achievements and innovations in the transport sector across Scotland. The 2023 ceremony, marking the awards’ 20th anniversary, was a grand affair held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow on June 22nd, 2023.

The event assembled leaders of the transport community, providing a platform to acknowledge and applaud the relentless efforts and outstanding work to enhance transport services and infrastructure in the region.

The esteemed judging panel for the 2023 awards was graced by notable industry leaders and experts, including Alison Irvine. Serving as the Interim Chief Executive at Transport Scotland, Alison boasts a distinguished career, having held various pivotal policy and delivery positions within the Scottish Government.

Submission Criteria

Innovative Results: Projects nominated should not only yield good results but also embody innovation.

Uniqueness: Whether it’s a groundbreaking initiative unique to Scotland or a familiar project approached with a fresh, creative twist, the project should distinctly stand out.

Distinctive Approach: Projects that dare to be different, those that bring something new and exciting to the table.

 

The SDCI Highlands and Islands Awards

🏆 WINNER: The Highlands & Islands Enterprise Award for Excellence in Innovation

The SDCI’s Annual Highlands & Islands Business Excellence Awards is a red-letter event in the Highland business calendar, consistently drawing a full house with over 300 guests.

These attendees represent the diverse business and economic community, not only from the Highlands but from across all of Scotland. The Awards are a salute to businesses and organisations that have significantly contributed to energising the economy.

With a spectrum of categories that cover various sectors, the event is a convergence of business luminaries from the region, all gathered to celebrate success, innovation, and the myriad opportunities the Highlands have to offer.

Submission Criteria

Innovation Showcase: Significant innovation in developing products or services that stand out in the market.

Environmental Impact Reduction: Notably reduces businesses’ environmental footprint and promotes sustainability.

Prosperity for People and Place: Positively impacts both the community and workplaces, fostering prosperity and social responsibility.