Guests enjoyed the impressive Coventry City football stadium backdrop, a fabulous meal and inspirational Great British gold medallist Amy Williams as the after-dinner speaker.
The Awards Dinner event, sponsored by Mabanaft, was the culmination of the UKIFDA Show & Conference 2023, a buzzing day of networking and knowledge. The first few awards of the night were presented at the President’s Drinks Reception, sponsored by FoxInsights, with the other award winners announced as the evening progressed.
The UKIFDA President’s Award
This year, a special award – the UKIFDA President’s Award –was presented to Mitchell & Webber’s John and Robert Weedon in recognition of their work championing the future ready fuel campaign.
John, Robert and the team have worked tirelessly with others in the industry to improve the awareness of renewable liquid fuels and were surprised, but delighted, to receive this well-deserved and prestigious award.
Joint winners for the UKIFDA Innovation Award
Sponsored by industry trade magazine, Fuel Oil News, the innovation award recognises and celebrates the most innovative products or services within the fuel distribution industry.
With both companies having developed products that make significant contributions to the future of the sector the award was won jointly by Aga-Rayburn and Grant Engineering.
Congratulations also to AMCS Group and Commercial Fuel Solutions Ltd who were shortlisted for the award for their own excellent contributions.
The inaugural UKIFDA Customer Service Award
New for this year was the UKIFDA Customer Service Award 2023, sponsored by Worldpay from FIS.
Revealed on the night, and a very popular choice, the winner was Helen Rawthorne of WCF Fuels. Exemplifying the very best of customer service, colleagues said Helen is a joy to work with, has a can-do attitude and is often asked for by name.
Many congratulations Helen!
UKIFDA Driver of the Year
Sponsored by OAMPS, this is always a fiercely contested category with so many excellent drivers in the industry making a vital contribution to their companies and the customers they serve. Many congratulations must, therefore, go to Stephen Harris of Certas Energy who won the 2023 award.
Stephen was recognised for his valuable commitment to customers – especially in recent challenging times.
The runner-up drivers were Tomasz Tomkowiak from WCF Chandlers and James Walker from Allan Stobart – both highly worthy of the recognition.
UKIFDA Depot of the Year
The winner of this year’s award, sponsored once again by Pen Underwriting, was NWF Fuels – Mansfield Depot
Driving the standard of safety forward for a distributor depot, this award was decided by UKIFDA’s Tony Brown who audits the depots and noted how close the competition was again this year with congratulations also going to the runners up – Certas Energy’s Drem Depot and Tincknell Fuels’ Gillingham Depot.
UKIFDA Young Person of the Year Award
Presented by inspirational Great British Olympic gold medallist Amy Williams, this year’s UKIFDA Young Person of the Year 2023 award went to George Brinkworth of Ford Fuels.
George was nominated for his help ensuring a continuous supply of fuel into the company’s depots at all times with the award extremely well-deserved.
Congratulations also to the two runners up, both from Watson Fuels – Ellie Norfolk and Karina Kunickaite.
UKIFDA Green Award
Congratulations to Certas Energy who won the UKIFDA Green Award 2023, sponsored by Oilshield.
This award celebrates commitment to achieving a decarbonised future for the liquid fuel distribution sector and judges were particularly impressed by Certas’ drive to take its green strategy across its business and beyond, with the company demonstrating sustainable principles, standards and products.
Greenergy and WP Group were also shortlisted and noted for their own efforts in decarbonisation.
Celebrating success
Summarising the evening’s event’s UKIFDA CEO Ken Cronin, commented: “This year’s backdrop for the UKIFDA Show & Awards Dinner 2023 was the home of Coventry City Football Club, which is enjoying success this season much like our fantastic award winners!
“Congratulations to you all and thank you once again to all of our sponsors for their support, our wonderful exhibitors and of course the 750 delegates who brought the event to life.”
