News
Ensuring the new government hears FPS members
Formerly FPS vice president and regional representative for the West Midlands, Duncan Grant, who is based in Certas Energy’s Coleshill depot, takes over the presidency from Mark Nolan of Nolan Fuel Oils who has been president for the last two years.
Duncan brings extensive experience and expertise to the role having spent over 32 years in the industry with companies such as BP Oil, Kuwait Petroleum, Pace Fuelcare and now Certas Energy, one of the largest fuel distributors in the UK.
Commenting on his appointment, Duncan said: “As president I will be working closely with FPS chief executive, Mark Askew and the FPS team to support them in the day to day running of the organisation as well as being an ambassador for the industry as a whole.
“The oil distribution industry is facing some tough times, the growth of online ordering, buying groups and agents are changing the way our industry trades. Distributors who can’t adapt or embrace change may start to find life difficult. So, as part of my role, I want to ensure that the pros and cons of the different ways of purchasing heating oil are understood and communicated to both the industry and customers.
“Oil supply and availability, particularly at peak periods, also remains a significant threat. The FPS stock sheet is helping the government understand the issues and dangers. The threat of a stock out remains high but, during my time as president, I will ensure that our members are heard at government level.
“I also think that we must try to improve the image of the industry in order to repair the reputational damage, mostly undeserved, which has been attached to the sector in recent years. I intend to use every opportunity and more to promote what is an incredibly hard working and conscientious industry.
“The FPS is doing lots of exciting work at the moment and has been working closely with the Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) and consumer groups on different initiatives from the Buy Oil Early Campaign through to the launch of the FPS Surviving Winter Charity, which helps those in fuel poverty who receive heating oil with the help of local community foundations and their surviving winter campaign. We are hoping to expand on this initiative in 2015.
“The FPS is in a strong position to continue to represent the industry. It is important that all members of the FPS, whether they are large or small companies, feel that the FPS is addressing the issues which affect them, and this will always be a challenge for the future.
“At local level, all members are given the opportunity to share and contribute to all these relevant issues and I will continue to work closely with all our members both existing and new.” www.fpsonline.co.uk
SEE THE JUNE ISSUE OF FUEL OIL NEWS FOR MARK NOLAN’S REFLECTIONS ON HIS TENURE AS FPS PRESIDENT