The Australasian Fleet Management Association (AfMA) is proud to announce Michael Mills of Essential Energy as the 2025 Fleet Manager of the Year, celebrated at AfMA’s Industry Awards Dinner during the Australasian Fleet Education & Leadership Summit in Sydney.
Recognised for his visionary leadership, data-driven transformation, and firm commitment to safety, Michael has led one of Australia’s largest utility fleets through an ambitious operational transformation, setting a new benchmark in sustainable and accountable fleet management.
The Challenge: Turning Challenge into Opportunity
When Michael stepped into the role of Fleet Manager at Essential Energy, the mobile asset portfolio was facing several key challenges:
- Minimal end-user involvement in process improvement,
- Inconsistent application of Asset Management Principles
- Data integrity
- Reliance on manual data transfer between systems
- Escalating costs
- High number of Asset Health-related incidents
This wasn’t simply a case of under-utilised systems—it was a resource-heavy, unsustainable model demanding long term change.
A Vision in Motion: The Fleet Improvement Program
Michael responded by implementing the Fleet Improvement Program V2.0 (FLIPV2.0)—a bold, three-year, five-stream initiative that brought full lifecycle asset management in-house. FLIP V2.0 reimagined Essential Energy’s fleet model from top to bottom, covering:
- Procurement and acquisitions
- Data integration and financial forecasting
- Enhancing in-house capability of 3 x Regional Workshops
- User-driven asset specification reviews
- Technology adoption and system integration
- Safety, compliance, assurance and sustainability
“At its core, FLIP V2.0 was about giving our people the tools, technology and processes they needed to deliver a safe, compliant and efficient fleet,” Michael said.
“It was designed with frontline practicality in mind—built to work in the real world, not just look good on paper.”
Outstanding Results: What Success Looks Like
Under Michael’s leadership, FLIP delivered measurable, lasting impact:
- Asset Health Incidents ↓ 78%: From 16.5 to just 3.6 incidents per million kilometres
- Operational Costs ↓ 12%: Reduced from $1.25/km to $1.15/km
- Accident Claims ↓ 51%: Major decrease in driver-at-fault and not-at-fault incidents
- Sustainability Gains: CO₂ emissions reduced by 1,781 tonnes per year
- Digital Integration: Launch of an updated user interface app integrated with CMMS and IVMS for asset information, defect management and specific targeted messaging.
- Regional Capability: Enhancing Fleet Workshop capability now operating as diagnostic, major repair, commissioning and rebuild hubs
“One of our key principles was that fleet solutions and services must be fit-for-purpose. That meant deeply involving the end users—the people who actually drive, service and rely on these vehicles every day,” Michael said.
Beyond the Fleet: Industry Impact and Leadership
Michael’s influence extends well beyond Essential Energy. He has emerged as a respected thought leader across the Australasian fleet sector. His contributions include:
- Presentations at over 10 major events in 18 months
- Roles with NRSPP, IPWEA, CICA, and AfMA forums
- Contributions to EV Drive Days, IVMS safety webinars, NHVR strategy working groups and more
“We have a duty to our peers, our customers, and—most importantly—our drivers,” Michael notes.
He has also championed team development, introducing apprenticeships, traineeships, and graduate placements. Several team members have completed the AfMA Diploma of Leadership under his mentorship.
“This award isn’t just for me,” Michael said at the ceremony. “It represents the collective effort of a team who are passionate, skilled and dedicated to doing things better every day and have a clear understanding of the why we are here, what we do and how we do it. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together.”
Looking Ahead: The Future of Fleet
Never one to stand still, Michael is now focused on the next stage of evolution—leveraging connected technology and predictive data analytics to push boundaries even further.
Essential Energy is currently exploring:
- AI-driven predictive maintenance
- In-house capability for real-time diagnostics
- Advanced sustainability models to maximise asset life and reduce environmental impact
“We’re now asking, how can we leverage connected data and emerging tech to predict failures before they happen, optimise service intervals, and get even more performance from every asset we operate? This data also supports our facilitation of the uptake of electric vehicles across regional, rural and remote NSW.
Driving innovation and technology and actively supporting the energy transition will enable the network of the future ensuring Essential Energy will continue to deliver the power and people you can rely on, now and into the future” Michael said. “That’s where the next frontier lies.”
A Benchmark in Fleet Leadership
Michael’s selection as the 2025 Fleet Manager of the Year reflects not just a series of achievements, but a values-based approach to modern leadership. His focus on safety, collaboration, innovation, and developing others stands as a model for fleet professionals everywhere.
“Michael’s submission was a standout,” remarked one judge. “It wasn’t just the numbers—it was the holistic thinking, the methodical execution, and the willingness to share that made him the clear winner.”
Essential Energy—and the fleet community as a whole—can be proud of the example he sets.
Acknowledgement of Sponsors
AfMA extends its sincere thanks to our Fleet Manager of the Year Award sponsors, BP Australia and Geotab, for their continued support and commitment to recognising excellence in fleet leadership.
Key Achievements – Michael Mills, 2025 Fleet Manager of the Year
- Delivered the Fleet Improvement Program V2.0 (FLIP), a three-year transformation bringing full lifecycle asset management in-house.
- Reduced asset health incidents by 78%, from 16.5 to 3.6 incidents per million kilometres.
- Lowered fleet operating costs by 12%, from $1.25/km to $1.15/km (FY25$).
- Cut CO₂ emissions by 1,781 tonnes per year through fuel reduction and improved utilisation.
- Reduced total accident claims by 51%, including an 82% drop in driver-at-fault incidents.
- Decreased annual kilometres travelled from approximately 41 million to 35 million.
- Launched a digital pre-operational app, integrated with a CMMS and IVMS for capturing asset performance metrics.
- Established three regional fleet workshops, improving inspections, diagnostics, and recovery support. Achieved a 10.3% reduction in fuel consumption by optimising asset use and service planning.
- Presented at more than 10 major industry events, including AfMA, NRSPP, IPWEA, and EV Drive Days.
- Built a resilient, skilled team through apprenticeships, graduate programs, and leadership training.
- Actively shared insights with DNSPs, utilities, and peers to improve fleet outcomes across the industry.
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