There is something special about attending an industry event for the first time — the buzz of the exhibition floor, the handshakes with familiar names you have only ever known by email, and the realization that the sector you work in every day is filled with passionate, knowledgeable people all pulling in the same direction. That was exactly the feeling we at NLTC experienced when we exhibited for the very first time at the UKIFDA Expo & Conference 2026 at Exhibition Centre Liverpool on 15–16 April.
As the UK and Ireland’s leading trade event for the liquid fuel distribution sector, the UKIFDA Expo brought together distributors, suppliers and policymakers under one roof, united by the theme Shaping the Future of Liquid Fuels. For NLTC, it was the perfect stage to introduce ourselves to a wider audience and to have the kinds of conversations that simply cannot happen over a phone call.
UKIFDA Running the Show
Any exhibitor will tell you that a great event does not happen by accident. Behind every smooth registration desk, every well-laid stand and every perfectly timed changeover is a team of people who have been planning, chasing and problem-solving for months. At UKIFDA, that credit belongs firmly to Dawn Shakespeare, Jon Cox, Ken Cronin and all the UKIFDA team — and we mean that wholeheartedly.
Here is the thing that made Dawn’s contribution even more remarkable: she helped run the entire event on crutches. Not metaphorically. On crutches. And yet, from the moment the doors opened to the final goodbyes, you would never have known there was any obstacle in her way. She was everywhere — welcoming exhibitors, troubleshooting on the fly, keeping energy levels high and making every single person feel like their presence mattered.
As a first-time exhibitor, the setup process can feel daunting. The process of setting up, however, was anything but. Clear guidance, a logical floor layout and a crew on hand throughout who clearly cared about getting the details right. The warmth and attentiveness of the UKIFDA team set the tone for the whole event — and we cannot thank them enough.
A Vital Conversation with the Department for Transport
One of the most significant highlights of our time at the Expo was the opportunity to engage directly with representatives from the Department for Transport (DfT). These are the kinds of discussions that rarely happen outside of events like this, and we were delighted to talk at length about our Level 2 Awarding in the Security of Dangerous Goods — a qualification that equips candidates with the awareness, skills and confidence to identify and respond to potential security threats in high-risk logistics environments.
The conversation was rich and constructive. But what made it particularly meaningful was being able to share a real-world example of our training making a tangible difference.
Real World Impact
One of the most significant highlights of our time at the Expo was the opportunity to engage directly with representatives from the Department for Transport (DfT). These are the kinds of discussions that rarely happen outside of events like this, and we were delighted to talk at length about our Level 2 Awarding in the Security of Dangerous Goods — a qualification that equips candidates with the awareness, skills and confidence to identify and respond to potential security threats in high-risk logistics environments.
The conversation was rich and constructive. But what made it particularly meaningful was being able to share a real-world example of our training making a tangible difference.
The DFT representatives engaged with this example with great interest, and the discussion reinforced our shared belief that security awareness in the dangerous goods sector is not optional — it is essential. We left that conversation energized and more committed than ever to raising the bar on the training we deliver.
Jason Dearsley: A Talk That Will Shape Our Course Development
Police Sergeant, Commercial Vehicle Unit — DGSA
A front-line enforcement expert bringing real-world roadside inspection experience directly to the dangerous goods community.
If there was one session at the Expo that had us reaching for our notebooks and scribbling furiously, it was the talk delivered by Jason Dearsley, Police Sergeant from the Commercial Vehicle Unit and a qualified Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser. Jason brought something genuinely invaluable to the floor: an enforcement officer’s perspective on roadside vehicle checks for dangerous goods vehicles.
This is a viewpoint that is too rarely heard in training environments. We spend a great deal of time teaching operators and drivers about their obligations under ADR and dangerous goods legislation — but hearing directly from the officer on the other side of that inspection, understanding exactly what is being looked for, how checks are conducted and what the most common failures look like in practice, is a different and enormously powerful kind of insight.
Course development insight
Jason’s talk provided a vivid, practical window into how roadside checks operate in the field — from documentation and placarding to driver knowledge and load security. The detail and real-world context he shared will directly inform how we develop and refine our dangerous goods training courses, ensuring our candidates are not just compliant on paper, but genuinely prepared for a live roadside inspection.
It is one thing to know the rules. It is another way to understand how those rules are applied, tested and enforced on a wet Wednesday morning on the hard shoulder of the M6. Jason bridged that gap brilliantly. His talk was clear, authoritative and packed with the kind of detail that you simply cannot get from a textbook — and the audience’s engagement throughout said everything about how well it landed. We are already thinking about how his insights can be woven into our course content going forward, and we are grateful to Jason for sharing his expertise so generously.
Keith’s thoughts on Kerosene, Tanker Marking and Product Safety
Among the many excellent conversations Keith Antrobus had an informative discussion with the DFT on the safe carriage of kerosene in tankers — and the very real dangers that arise from improper product sequencing.
Keith and members of the DFT chatted about a scenario that remains a genuine risk in the field: the dangers of carrying a load of kerosene in a tanker that previously contained petrol, without having first run diesel loads in between. This is not merely a question of product contamination — it carries significant safety implications. Residual petrol in a tanker creates a far more volatile environment than many operators appreciate, and transitioning straight to kerosene without that diesel intermediary step can compromise both product integrity and operational safety in ways that are not always immediately visible.
Safety note — product sequencing
Carrying kerosene in a tanker previously loaded with petrol — without running diesel loads in between — poses serious safety risks due to residual volatility. Operators must understand the importance of correct product sequencing when switching between fuel grades in multi-product tankers.
Keith then moved on to share an important regulatory update: there are ongoing discussions around requiring kerosene carried in tankers to be marked up under the same rules that currently apply to petrol and diesel. This brings consistency to how these vehicles are identified on the road, reducing ambiguity for emergency services, enforcement officers and other road users — and connecting neatly, of course, to the very enforcement conversations Jason Dearsley had raised earlier in the day.
For an expo of fuel distributors, this was exactly the kind of practical, regulation-focused insight that makes events like the UKIFDA Expo so valuable. These are not abstract policy debates — they are conversations with direct implications for how fleets are operated, how drivers are trained and how compliance is managed day by day.
We are pleased to say because of this conversation DVSA will be making changes to their Sanctions Policy regarding Switch Loading. It’s a great feeling knowing NLTC’s input is making a positive change to the industry!
Looking Ahead
Exhibiting at the UKIFDA Expo for the first time was an extraordinary experience. We came to Liverpool to introduce NLTC to the liquid fuel distribution sector, and we leave with new relationships, sharper course content, valuable regulatory insights and a renewed sense of purpose about the training we provide.
The conversations we had — with the Department for Transport, Jason Dearsley and many other key names of the fuel industry and with the wonderful UKIFDA team — have reinforced everything we believe about the power of face-to-face dialogue. Safety, compliance and security in this sector depend on trainers having access to the most relevant training material and being properly informed. That is what NLTC is here to do.
We extend our sincerest thanks to the entire UKIFDA team for an impeccably run event. You set the bar extraordinarily high, and we cannot wait to be back.
Interested in our dangerous goods training courses? Visit us at nltc.co.uk
