Business award for brave oil company boss Sally

A woman who had to overcome her husband’s death to continue the new business they had set up just a year before has been awarded for her efforts.
By Andy Hubbert
Published 28th Dec 2020, 11:06 BST
Owner of SOS Fuels, Sally Hughes, has won Prestige Award for Best Oil company in Central England. EMN-201217-180157001Owner of SOS Fuels, Sally Hughes, has won Prestige Award for Best Oil company in Central England. EMN-201217-180157001
Owner of SOS Fuels, Sally Hughes, has won Prestige Award for Best Oil company in Central England. EMN-201217-180157001

Sally Hughes launched SOS Fuels, based on Sellwood Court, Sleaford, three years ago with husband Stephen, fitting oil tanks and supplying heating oil.

Stephen fell ill with pancreatic cancer and died aged 52 in October 2019. Sally, 46, said: “It has been very tough. I have two little kids and so have to keep the business going.”

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Corporate Livewire is a business magazine and runs the annual Prestige Awards for small and medium-sized businesses proven to be the best in their market.

SOS Fuels was nominated by a customer and shortlisted for the ‘best oil company’ of the Central England Prestige Awards 2020/21. Judges looked into evidence of their work, excellent service, quality, innovative practices, value, ethical or sustainable methods and consistency.

Sally has been invited to an awards ceremony when Covid restrictions allow but has already received a certificate and badges to display. She said it was amazing to have won having been established such a short time, with two employees: “We are the only company around here that can do such small, emergency deliveries to keep people warm.

“We are flat out with oil deliveries and tank installations.”