In Conversation
Editor Extraordinaire
FORMER DEPUTY EDITOR OF FUEL OIL NEWS, LIZ BOARDMAN,
TALKS TO JANE RAPHAEL ABOUT HER 20 YEARS AT FUEL OIL NEWS
When Jane Raphael (formerly Hughes) joined
Fuel Oil News in May 1999, she never thought
that 20 years on she would still be there to
celebrate a landmark anniversary, having
produced over 240 issues of Fuel Oil News.
“I saw an advert in the Knutsford Guardian
for a writer and decided to give it a shot,” said
Jane, who had a background in marketing,
fashion retail and education.
“The company wanted someone who
could spell and pick up mistakes, so it was
definitely the job for me!” she laughs.
The Fuel Oil News team was a small one,
consisting of owner, James Smith, son Nick and
editor, Margaret Boydell. A week after Jane
started, Ann Butler also joined the company,
bringing its tally to five.
Taking the reins
When Margaret moved over to sister company,
Oil Recruitment, now Eleven Recruitment, Jane
took over as editor.
“Little did I know when I first interviewed
Jane to come and join the editorial team in
the last year of the 20th century, that she
would develop into such a talented editor who
would be able to take over the reins within just
a couple of years and lead the team herself
for such a long and successful time,” said
Margaret.
“She has always been a most loyal and
dedicated colleague who has given 110% to
make Fuel Oil News the respected publication
of the downstream industry that it is today.
“I know she would not forgive me if I
did not mention her colleague and friend,
Ann Butler, who has worked quietly and
imaginatively in the office to bring all the ideas
and stories into print and more recently online.
What a fantastic team they make, supported
by those responsible for advertising and
marketing as well.”
Jane’s first outside assignment was to
speak to Frank Hunter of Carlton Fuels, who
had just won an award, and this proved pivotal
for her career. She explains:
“Fascinated by what Frank told me, it
really sparked my interest in the oil industry
which I very soon discovered was full of great
characters.
16 Fuel Oil News | July 2019
A changing industry
During the last 20 years, this mature sector,
which has had a long and remarkable history,
has seen some big changes as Jane describes:
“When I first joined Fuel Oil News, the vast
majority of fuel oil distributors were allied to
major oil companies, whereas now most are
in the hands of independents, both large and
small. The last two decades have certainly
witnessed much consolidation with the number
of fuel oil distributors falling, which in turn
has led to larger concerns controlling a bigger
proportion of the industry.”
Jane has also witnessed significant
changes in publishing since the millennium.
“In those early days when email was
in its infancy, all correspondence had to
be done over the phone or in person with
the magazine’s content being physically
transferred to the printers. In today’s digital
publishing world, the speed of communication
means it’s so much easier to get information
out to our readers.”
The Fuel Oil News family
Producing a magazine requires teamwork
so in the beginning Margaret, Jane and Ann
collectively sold advertising space, sourced
and wrote editorial as well as organising
page-setting and looking after subscriptions.
Jane considers herself lucky to have worked
alongside several excellent colleagues.
“Many readers will remember Liz
Boardman who worked alongside me as
deputy editor from 2009-2014. Over those
years, I very much appreciated Liz’s assistance
– great at talking to people, Liz has the ability
to get a good story. Now freelance, Liz still
helps with the bigger issues of Fuel Oil News.
Without doubt the most influential person
in Jane’s experience was Fuel Oil News founder,
James Smith who passed away in 2013.
“Fuel Oil News was his creation and the
first collective communication for the fuel oil
distribution industry,” Jane reminisces.
“Jim always issued extremely good
guidelines, he was quick to pick up on news
stories and gave excellent writing advice.
Over the years, I have not only kept to his
high standards, but also sought to keep the
magazine close to his original ethos.”
Production manager Ann Butler, who is
also celebrating her 20th anniversary, has been
a constant source of support to Jane.
“Ann’s ability to interpret my ideas and
bring to life all the articles, facts and images on
the printed page is amazing,” says Jane.
For 14 years Jane and Ann have also
worked alongside Berni Chetham.
“Berni joined us in 2005 and very quickly
earned her Rottweiler nickname with Ann and
I both admiring her dogged determination to
resolve problems.”
Although Margaret Boydell moved across
to Oil Recruitment in 2001, her early advice
proved invaluable.
“Margaret laid solid foundations on which
to build my experience and was always on
hand to help guide me in those early days as
editor.
“I have also been delighted by the many
colleagues who have embraced the world of
fuel oil distribution including Anne Brindley
who famously stopped to photograph a tanker
refuelling an air ambulance whilst on her way
to a wedding! Indeed, I’ve often found myself
taking photos of tankers and tanks in the
strangest of places.”
In addition to Fuel Oil News, Jane is
also the editor of Oil Installer. Produced in
association with OFTEC, the first issue was
published in July 2007. Having worked on
almost 50 issues, Jane is “very ably assisted
by deputy editor Peter Clayton who remains
a most reliable long-standing colleague and a
fantastic support.”