With hindsight, 2025 has proved every bit as challenging as anticipated – yet, just as with the year before, distributors have still found plenty to celebrate – Acquisitions, innovation, growth in renewable fuels, and investment in people and infrastructure all emerge as stand-out achievements for 2025, in a landscape that once again demanded resilience and agility.
As thoughts turn to 2026, the hopes expressed feel both familiar and forward-facing: a desire for certainty in supply, clearer government policy, continued momentum in the energy transition and, as always, a year that rewards the commitment, resilience and adaptability that define this sector.
Amy Jones, Head of Organization – local, BWOC.
Our highlight of 2025 was building strong growth in what is largely a shrinking market, and ultimately, increasing our market share.
We hope for greater stability in 2026 – although it’s a hope we’ve had for many years and it never quite materialises – but it’s also what makes us all stay in the industry.
Clive Morin, Managing Director Barton Petroleum
We have employed a number of good, young people into the business in 2025, and the future looks rosy. Hopes for 2026? A cold winter for a start, a successful year and good health to all.
Gemma Wakefield, Marketing Manager, NWF
I’d say that our highlight was the growth of our acquisitions. It’s been exciting to bring new team members and customers into NWF Fuels.
For 2026, we’re hoping for a solid guideline and roadmap for the future of alternative fuels in home heating.
John Weedon, MD Mitchell & Webber
Receiving feedback from heating oil customers that the renewable solution is desired and support to continue the campaign continues to be a highlight for us.
And our hope is linked to our customers’ hopes: that the Government consultation provides the way forward for a renewable heating fuel.
Richard Wallace, CEO, LCM Environmental
Working more closely with fuel distributors than ever before, helping them keep sites safe and operational through better infrastructure, maintenance and project delivery was our highlight.
Looking to 2026, we hope that we continue moving forward together – improving assets, strengthening compliance, and keeping people safe across every site we support.
Luke Nolan, Sales Manager Nolan Fuels
A 2025 highlight was introducing delivery technology with DTS and Fuelsoft to streamline our processes and make the customer’s experience better.
In 2026 we hope to continue to be number one for service in the area.
Emma Osborn, Halso UK
Halso UK has strengthened its role supplying traditional and, increasingly, renewable fuel types. While continuing to offer traditional bulk fuels and lubricants, it has been an exciting year for growth for fuels like HVO and IHO and our highlight has been maintaining this diverse product mix to meet our legacy demand while shifting low carbon fuels and moving towards our net zero goals.
My hope for 2026 is to continue growing my grandad’s fuel business, building on its legacy while adapting to new opportunities in the energy market.
Phil Murray, CEO WCF Ltd
In our 2025 Great Places to Work survey, 82% of our colleagues responded positively to the statement, “Taking everything into account, I would say this is a great place to work”, which was an increase on 2024’s results and something everyone here at WCF feels so very proud of.
We hope that the Renewable Liquid Heating Fuel Obligation (RLHFO) is finally implemented in 2026, which would then allow off-grid households across the UK to begin decarbonising in an easy, affordable and non-disruptive way by ensuring they are able to access renewable liquid heating fuels.
Duncan Lambert, Rix Petroleum
Our highlight? Rix continuing to acquire and build new startup businesses; in the last 12 months of trading, we have seen two new petroleum businesses and one very large manufacturing facility reinforce the group.
Thoughts on 2026? A need for greater supply certainty. Product availability is under the spotlight and creating concern in the industry. If demand bounces back from the lows we have experienced across all fuel sectors in 2025, will there be sufficient availability?
It is just one of many questions around industry supply and demand that are, currently, without answers.
Gavin Milligan, Strangford Fuels
We completed the purchase of Milligan Oil in April which made good business sense. They have been distributing fuel for 54 years in a similar geographical area. Not an easy process, but an interesting experience with a fair bit learned along the way. The transition has been relatively smooth, helped by great staff, so that’s been our highlight.
For 2026 we can only hope for a cold winter heating season and a good summer for Agri/Marine diesel sales.
Patrick Kirby, Tria Energy
The big highlight was seeing the growth in awareness and interest around renewable and low-carbon fuels. It feels like the tide is finally turning, and that’s great to see.
For 2026, I’m hoping for good health for everyone – especially our staff and customers – and more government backing to push forward the transition to cleaner fuels.
Jon Best, Director and COO ATF Fuels
Launching the new ATF Pay+ app and loyalty programme – our first digital fuel loyalty scheme in the Channel Islands – stands out for me. It reinforces our commitment to fair pricing, convenience, and long-term customer value.
In 2026 we hope to solidify ATF’s role as the Channel Islands trusted, locally-owned supplier – by expanding greener fuel options, improving forecourt convenience, and staying ahead of industry shifts to alternative fuels.
Philip Sharman, Director Fuels/ Outdoor/Marketing Carrs Billington
The highlight of 2025 and beyond is without doubt our unique family owned structure, excellent service level and depth of support of our parent The Billington Group. We have invested significantly in our assets during 2025 supporting our long-term outlook and future plans, all while overcoming the challenge of short notice supply and logistical problems kindly delivered by the closure of Grangemouth Refinery and Prax Jarrow/LOR.
We are hoping that 2026 brings continued growth and support of our long-standing farming and rural customers and recognition from UK Government towards UK energy resilience (especially in the North and Scotland)
Duncan Smith, Head of Fuels & Lubricants Business Development, Carrs Billington
Nicky Donnellys biscuit selection is always a highlight in our business!
In 2026 we hope for continued progress on the brilliant work led by UKIFDA on the future fuel scheme.
James Carson, Director, Knockbracken Fuels
That the UK Government are now prepared to start a debate on the use of low carbon fuels for heating is a welcome highlight of 2025!
And for 2026? I hope there will be a greater understanding of the true costs of fuel distribution!
David Weaver, Roadside Services, Certas Energy UK Ltd
The standout highlight of 2025 for Certas Energy Mobility has been the successful development and launch of our new Omega site, alongside continued investment in upgrading our existing network to improve reliability, service quality, and customer experience.
In 2026, we aim to build on this progress by expanding and enhancing our Mobility estate even further, strengthening operational excellence, and supporting customers through the next phase of the energy transition.
John Hughes, Operations Manager, Klass Oil
2025 saw us increase capacity in our bulk haulage fleet by introducing a 2nd GRW Artic Trailer working on a double shift basis.
I hope 2026 brings health and happiness for my family , peace in Ukraine and a win for Ireland in the 6 nations.
Chris Belsham, Chief Executive Officer, NWF Group
Our 2025 highlight was successfully delivering four acquisitions (Northern Energy Oil, Pinnocks, Booths and Harrison Oils) whilst delivering changes to our business that will make it fit for the future.
Hoping 2026 brings: A better general economic environment, a strong recovery in market demand to support the industry and a sensible outcome to the Government consultation on home heating solutions for off grid homes.
Andrea Pitts, Director, Quad Fuels Ltd
My highlight was a fantastic year end in June 2025 as we had the best and most profitable financial year as ours runs from July 2024 – June 2025
I hope for 2026, that we can avoid the software, systems and truck issues that have hampered us through 2025 and get back to some form of normality. I can then get out more and see the customers and be more present marketing the business.
Hannah Bigwood, Content Marketing & Sustainability Manager, Crown Oil
Our biggest highlight of 2025 was becoming the first company in the UK to be certified carbon neutral by BSI under the new ISO 14068-1 standard, alongside being certified on BSI’s Net Zero Pathway to reach net zero by 2050. We were also proud to be the first company to be approved under the new RFAS Heat-Power-Marine scheme, a major expansion of Zemo Partnership’s Renewable Fuels Assurance Scheme that brings robust, independently verified fuel traceability to sectors beyond road transport.
In 2026, we hope to continue leading the shift toward more sustainable fuel solutions while supporting our customers with the same dependable, people-first service they expect from Crown Oil.
Image credit: IStock/Dilok Klaisataporn
