A Preston company chair has been presented with a lifetime achievement award for his contribution to the retail petroleum industry.
Geoff Oldham, chair of Suresite Group, was presented with the accolade at the APEA (Association For Petroleum & Explosives Administration) annual awards evening.
Geoff, from Goosnargh, has spent almost 50 years in the industry, initially working for Esso and later setting up his own business.
In 1994, he founded forecourt and retail services company Suresite Group, which has grown from a spare bedroom-based startup in Fulwood to a £14.5m turnover employer of 30.
Initially offering H&S audits for fuel forecourts, the company later added merchant services, training and real time wetstock monitoring in to its offer.
Suresite Group chief business development officer Keith Bevan submitted the nomination. He said: “Geoff has never stood still. He continues to look for new avenues and improvement in all the products Suresite Group offers, ensuring that customers receive value, the best service, and attain the highest levels of legislation compliance.”
Geoff Oldham said: “This recognition came as a wonderful surprise and was not at all something I was expecting. I am very proud to have my achievements recognised in what is Suresite Group’s 25th year in business.”
