With this year’s event taking a new format, the winners were announced throughout the day, with awards also revealed during the evening gathering.
UKIFDA CEO Ken Cronin explains: “This year’s UKIFDA Show theme was ‘Be Part of the Solution’ and the winning individuals, depots and companies definitely reflect this dynamic industry landscape we are experiencing.
“Competition, as always, was tough, and our award winners and runners-up should be proud of their achievements – we had some fantastic entries. Many congratulations to you all, we are fortunate to have you working so hard to push the industry forward – a true inspiration to everyone.
“Thanks also to all of our sponsors for their support.”
The 2025 winners
UKIFDA Customer Service Award 2025 sponsored by Worldpay
Winner: Jack Helliwell, Ukay Fuels (Hadleigh) Ltd
Jack inspired the name of a new brand dedicated to delivering same-day service and handling urgent, out-of-hours fuel requests, ensuring that critical businesses never run out of fuel. He now leads a dedicated team of six people, and under his guidance, they continue to grow and thrive.
In our main image, Alison Sweeney from sponsor Worldpay, presented the Customer Service Award 2025 to the winner, Jack Helliwell of Ukay Fuels (Hadleigh) Ltd.
Runner-up: Pam Arnasalam, Certas Energy
UKIFDA Young Person of the Year Award 2025 sponsored by Just Tankers
Winner: Jordan Ferlisi, New Era Energy
Jordan has thrived at New Era Energy, starting as an Apprentice and now serving as a Team Leader across 10 depots. Praised for his interpersonal skills, he has successfully recruited hundreds, becoming integral to the business. He inspires colleagues, exemplifying a young professional making a difference.
Runners up: Kiegan Owens, Oil 4 Wales and Elliott Keegan, New Era Energy
UKIFDA Green Award 2025 sponsored by Oilshield
Winner: Certas Energy
Strongly contested, with two previous winners shortlisted, Certas Energy has once again demonstrated an outstanding contribution to the UK’s decarbonisation agenda. Its sales of renewable diesel have increased by more than 60%, and HVO at the pump has been introduced in 7 sites with a further 14 planned. 238 of its fleet now uses HVO renewable diesel, delivering a reduction in emissions of 35.8% compared to standard diesel fuel.
Shortlisted companies: ElimiNOX and New Era Energy
UKIFDA Driver of the Year Award 2025 sponsored by OAMPS
Winner: Peter Stubbington, Certas Energy
Peter has spent 14 years driving tankers, earning a reputation for his attention to safety and professionalism in fuel delivery. The judges noted his focus on safe service and his commitment to finding solutions for customers. He has advanced from tanker driver to trainer and now supervisor.
Peter’s standout moment occurred when he calmly handled a potentially dangerous situation involving a horse and struggling rider on a narrow country lane, a video of which quickly went viral, gaining praise from rural and equestrian communities.
His manager expressed, “I’m very proud to have him on my team.”
Runners up: Sam Howells, WP Group and Craig McCallum, Watson Fuels
UKIFDA Depot of the Year Award 2025 sponsored by Pen Underwriting
Driving the standard of distributor depot safety forward, this award is decided by UKIFDA’s Technical Manager, who audits depots nationwide.
Winner: Tincknell Fuels, Gillingham Depot
Runners-up: AID Fuel Oils, Cannock Depot and Callow Oils, Stourport on Severn Depot
UKIFDA Innovation Award sponsored by Fuel Oil News
Winner: NWF Fuels
Working in collaboration with its employees, NWF Fuels introduced the Safety Cup initiative – a fresh, fun way to put safety front and centre while bringing drivers together to boost safety performance.
One of the key criteria of this award is measurable results, and the Safety Cup has reduced collisions per kilometre by 60% and driver infringements by 40%, alongside month-on-month decreases in lost time injuries and vehicle accidents.
Runners-up: Corrib Oil and New Era Energy
Rounding up the day’s events, UKIFDA CEO Ken Cronin, said: “There has been plenty of celebration in Leeds today at the First Direct Arena with the announcement of our fantastic UKIFDA award winners.
“Congratulations to you all and thank you once again to our sponsors for their support, our wonderful exhibitors and of course the 700+ delegates who made the event such a success.”
Save the date!
The dates of the 2026 UKIFDA Expo & Conference are 15 and 16 April 2026. The event will take place at the Exhibition Centre, Liverpool.
For more information, visit www.ukifda.org
Images provided by UKIFDA