Zuber Issa, co-founder of EG Group and one of the UK’s most prominent entrepreneurs, has acquired a strategic equity stake in Duckhams, the 125-year-old British lubricants brand, for an undisclosed sum.
The deal marks a fresh push to revitalise the heritage marque and scale its presence across global markets. Duckhams, founded in 1899 by Alexander Duckham, is known for a series of firsts in the motor oil industry — including Europe’s first multigrade oil in 1951 — and has longstanding ties to motorsports, with a legacy that spans land-speed records and Formula 1.
“Zuber’s investment signals a strong endorsement of Duckhams’ leadership and our global ambitions,” said Mike Bewsey, Global CEO of Duckhams. “His strategic insight and track record in building international businesses make him an ideal partner for this next chapter.”
Issa, who was awarded a CBE for services to business and charity, plans to leverage his experience in scaling operations to unlock new markets and modernise Duckhams’ product offering amid tightening performance and environmental standards in the auto sector.
“Duckhams is a brand with deep heritage and significant untapped potential,” Issa said. “As carmakers raise the bar on engine efficiency, the need for premium lubricants will only grow. We aim to position Duckhams at the forefront of this shift.”
The investment underscores a broader trend of renewed interest in legacy British industrial brands, driven by consumer nostalgia and growing demand for high-performance, sustainable products.