News

Rewarding and thanking the very best tanker drivers and depots 

With a 40th anniversary awards ceremony taking place at UKIFDA EXPO 2020, the search is underway to find the best liquid fuel tanker driver and fuel distribution depot in the UK and Ireland. 

James Coates of Barton Petroleum
Last year’s winner – James Coates of Barton Petroleum

“Every year UKIFDA searches for the best fuel tanker drivers and the greatest staff members at fuel depots, to reward and thank everyone for all their hard work and commitment in meeting the exacting standards set by the industry bodies – and every year we’re so impressed by the high calibre of the winners,” says Guy Pulham, UKIFDA chief executive. 
The 2020 Driver of the Year Award is once again sponsored by OAMPS Hazardous Industries, and the 2020 Depot of the Year Award is sponsored by Pen Underwriting 
To enter for the Driver and Depot of the Year competitions, the company must be a member of UKIFDA.  


For the DRIVER OF THE YEAR AWARD, judges are looking for a driver with an outstanding safety record and who goes the extra mile for customers. Someone that stands out from their peers.  
Applications for the Driver of the Year Award should be sent to UKIFDA before 24th April 2020.  
The winner will receive the prestigious title of Tanker Driver of the Year together with £1,000 prize money and a certificate which will be presented at the president’s reception at Exhibition Centre Liverpool on 10th June.  
To obtain an application form or for further information, contact Dawn Shakespeare, membership and events manager, ds@ukifda.org. 
“We’re delighted to be sponsoring the Driver of the Year 2020 Award,” commented Karl Jones, account director at OAMPS Hazardous Industries. 
This is a special year for our involvement in the awards, as it is our 20th consecutive year of sponsorship. 
For the DEPOT OF THE YEAR AWARD the distributor needs to show they are an industry leader when it comes to standards or that they’ve made the biggest improvements with safety and operations.  
Having been audited in the last year by technical manager, Tony Brown, and having passed their Depot Certification Scheme, all successful depots are automatically entered into the depot contest.   www.ukifda.org/certification/ 
“When it comes to the depot award, we investigate the audit reports – part of an audit covers how every depot is operating compared to industry standards as well as how proactive, helpful and knowledgeable staff are, and how high maintenance and operational standards are,” explained Tony Brown. 
“It’s fantastic for us to be able to give recognition to staff at fuel depots for their hard work and dedication to meeting the high standards that go in many cases go beyond those set by the legislative authorities,” said Adam Shefras, managing director at Pen Underwriting.