With average annual heating costs for oil users falling every quarter for the last three years, consumer confidence in oil heating has greatly increased. This is reflected by rising boiler sales which, for January to April this year, stands at the highest level since 2007 New industry figures show that despite a slow increase in heating oil prices since the start of 2016, the average annual cost of heating a home on oil has fallen again.

Earlier this week Argus, the global energy and commodity price reporting agency, announced that a definitive agreement had been signed with General Atlantic. The agreement gives General Atlantic a majority stake in the business whilst enabling Argus to fuel its next phase of global expansion. Argus was founded by Jan Nasmyth in 1970 as a weekly newsletter covering the Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Antwerp petroleum products market. Jan remained actively involved in the business as chairman until he died in 2008 at the age of 90. Argus executive chairman and publisher Adrian Binks, who has led the company for more than 30 years, will continue in the business and retain the majority of his significant shareholding in the new structure alongside General Atlantic. Employee shareholders will also be given the opportunity to reinvest, while the family of Argus’ founder will sell their shareholding. “We’re delighted to welcome General Atlantic as our partner as we enter our next phase of growth,” said Adrian Binks. “I am especially pleased that so many current employees are being given the opportunity to reinvest in our business going forward. Argus will remain independent, focused on reporting commodities and will continue to bring transparency to opaque and vital markets.” Argus, which has more than 750 full-time employees, over 160 publications, 21 offices worldwide, and in excess of 23,000 price assessments, fulfils a crucial role in international commodity supply chains. The company’s proprietary price reporting methodologies and high-quality editorial content provide customers with reliable, independent assessments of the prevailing market prices, to which contracts can be anchored. Argus’ client base extends across 140 countries and includes international oil companies, trading houses, government agencies and financial institutions. Argus and General Atlantic expect to complete the transaction within two months, subject to regulatory approval. John Bernstein and Gabriel Caillaux from General Atlantic will join the Argus board of directors on completion of the transaction. General Atlantic has a long track record of partnering with European entrepreneurs and growth companies, having made its first investment in Europe in 1989. Since then, it has invested more than $5bn in 52 companies across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. www.argusmedia.com www.generalatlantic.com

Proud supporters of the charity Hospitality Action, Olleco has now raised over £54,000 in donations Olleco which converts organic waste into renewable energy has now donated £54,917.38 to Hospitality Action. The fundraising efforts of the company, which supplies premium cooking oils/fats and collects used cooking oil and waste food, were praised by Michel Roux Jr. “As a supporter of Hospitality Action, I’m delighted that Olleco, a long standing supplier of mine, is supporting a cause close to my heart. The on-going donation of over £54,000 is truly a phenomenal amount of money and will go a very long way towards helping those in our industry who have fallen on hard times. Olleco is clearly extremely passionate about giving back to the industry and I can’t thank them enough for their continued support of Hospitality Action.” Serving over 50,000 catering establishments, waste oil collected by Olleco is converted into biodiesel whilst waste food is converted into biomethane, electricity and heat. Olleco employs over 550 people, has 14 depots strategically located across the country, three bio-refineries, a biodiesel plant and two anaerobic digestion facilities. “We felt there was no better cause to support as the hospitality sector is at the very heart of what we do,” said Robert Behan Olleco CEO. “Every time we supply our customers with premium cooking oils and collect their organic waste, they’re not only helping the environment but are also strengthening this vital support network for their peers. The funds raised have been used by the charity to transform the lives of many of its beneficiaries who have experienced challenges in their lives and find themselves in need.”www.olleco.co.uk/about-us/hospitality-action

Speaking about the threat of cyber crime Rix Petroleum’s Rory Clarke said: “Ignoring this threat to your business is like leaving the office with the alarm off and the keys in the front door.” The Humberside police force has teamed up with leading firms from across the area, including Rix Petroleum, and the Hull University Business School to form the Humber Business Resilience Forum (HBRF). From next month businesses across the Humberside force area will have the opportunity to sign up for a new way of protecting themselves from cyber criminals. “Cyber crime, including cyber enabled fraud, is the single biggest threat to our business today,” said Rory Clarke, managing director, Rix Petroleum, one of the first business leaders to be approached to join the HBRF board. “It comes in many guises and is occurring with increasing frequency. As a consequence cyber security management is critically important to the way that we operate. “Ultimately our cyber security protects our shareholders, customers, employees and suppliers from the significant risks of financial loss, business disruption and reputational damage which in turn ultimately protects employment, investment and business development in our region. Ignoring this threat to your business is like leaving the office with the alarm off and the keys in the front door.” The HBRF – which will officially launch in June – aims to be a one-stop-shop for businesses to access the most up to date knowledge and expertise on cyber security issues and how to protect themselves, via its website and open business seminars. “It’s believed that 90% of all cyber crime can be prevented by taking simple steps to improve security,” said DI Rich Osgerby. “The HBRF will provide a fantastic way of helping us to educate businesses of all sizes about how they can best do this.” “As technology changes working practices and our reliance on technological operations deepens, no organisation can afford to be casual about information security.” said Dr Dionysios Demetis from Hull University Business School. The launch of the Humber Business Resilience Forum will take place at Hull University Business School on Wednesday 8 June, 4-6pm as part of the 2016 Humber Business Week.www.hull.ac.uk/hubs

There was a warm welcome to FPS EXPO 2016 in Liverpool which offered a new venue, new city, new exhibitors, new products, new seminars and a new after show event The Federation of Petroleum Suppliers (FPS) has reported that FPS EXPO 2016 saw a 15% increase on last year’s visitor numbers. For the first time, the two-day event took place at the new Exhibition Centre Liverpool, (ECL) and recorded visitors from afar afield as the Falkland Islands, Australia, Singapore, the USA, Mexico and Canada as well as Europe. This year more than half of the exhibiting companies announced new products and services and – for the first time – key industry professionals from DVSA, HSE, the Deputy Traffic Commissioner and CIRIA spoke in a series of seminars. “The ability to network with all the major companies, organisations and associations involved in fuel distribution under one roof remains one of FPS EXPO’s key attractions,” said Dawn Shakespeare marketing and events manager. “FPS EXPO is always extremely popular but 2016 beat all expectations with the interest in Liverpool being phenomenal,” added Dawn. “The first night drinks reception meant that lots of exhibitors and visitors made the most of a fantastic opportunity to network on an informal basis, plus having our after show party at Circo Liverpool – a circus-themed bar/restaurant with panoramic views of Liverpool’s historic Albert Dock – was a great end to the exhibition. “Again this was a first for FPS EXPO – we wanted this year’s exhibition to end with a bang and we felt this venue would add to the uniqueness of the 2016 exhibition – new venue, new city, new exhibitors, new products, new seminars and a new after show event. Next year’s event also takes place at ECL Liverpool on 10th & 11th May. For more information or to book exhibition space visit www.fpsshow.co.uk or e-mail ds@fpsonline.co.uk.

Alan Scrafton (centre) with (l) Stewart Ower, MD of E&S Environmental and Richard Proctor, MD of Darcy’s Adler & Allan’s innovative ethanol coalescing filter has won the manufacturer/service provider category at UKSpill’s first ever awards evening. Adler & Allan was also commended for its domestic spill entry which focused on cleaning up the aftermath of a significant pipeline tapping incident in southern England. Thousands of tonnes of fuel spilled in a remote rural location, threatening to cause wide ranging contamination, including a public water supply borehole, protected chalk streams and private wells. On average, the ethanol coalescing filter can remove 90% of all BTEX components from surface water discharged from forecourt separators.   BTEX compounds can cause acute and long term toxic effects if they enter the soil and groundwater system. In addition to their toxicity, benzene is known to be a carcinogen. The ethanol coalescing filter, which also won at last year’s APEA awards, can be easily fitted to existing separators without any requirements for modification or upheaval, whilst meeting stringent Environment Agency pollution guidelines. “The UKSpill awards are a significant accolade,” said Alan Scrafton, head of marketing. “Our ethanol coalescing filter provides an important first-line defence against pollution. It is ideal for any business where fuel is stored and dispensed on site, such as forecourts, retail outlets and organisations in the oil, aviation and marine sectors. “To also gain a commendation for our pipe tapping support services is a great achievement. Fuel theft is an increasing issue for the UK and Adler & Allan is at the forefront of helping businesses prevent its occurrence, while cleaning up after pipe tapping incidents.www.adlerandallan.co.uk