Duckhams, the original British motor oil since 1899, is pleased to announce two new appointments to its global team.
Rajat Moitra has taken up the role of Global Chief Marketing Officer, based out of the Dubai office. Rajat has over twenty-four years of experience in marketing, sales and strategy across multiple categories, including lubricants, tyres and consumer durables. Most recently, he was Head of Regional Sales and Global Marketing for GP Petroleums Ltd., a major lubricant industry player.
Chris Clarkson has been appointed Global Technical and Procurement Officer, based in the UK office. Chris joins from Moove Europe, where he was the Technical & Procurement Manager, leading the Technical, Procurement and Chemical Regulatory Compliance teams. Taking ownership of EU sourcing strategies, Chris developed partnerships with strategic technical suppliers to achieve efficient, sustainable outcomes.
Firoz Patel, Duckhams Managing Director (MESA), said, “Rajat has worked for market-leading and challenger brands, including Castrol, Petronas, Repsol, Philips, Fevicol, and Ceat tyres. He has significant expertise in business scale-ups, building brand saliency, sales operations, route-to-market, and managing large teams. Chris has over 13 years of experience in the lubricant industry with a focus on technology, supply and operations. He brings with him valuable skills in strategic sourcing, formulations, chemical regulations, improving processes and developing teams.
We are delighted to welcome Rajat and Chris to the Duckhams family as we approach our 125-year milestone in 2024. Continuously investing in People and Brand assets is essential for any growing company. As a global business, we seek to hire diverse industry talent to drive our business forward. Both Rajat and Chris bring extensive lubricant experience to our team, and I look forward to working with them.”
Founded by Alexander Duckham, a natural innovator, successful businessman, and pioneer of modern movement, Duckhams has been making engines move since 1899. In 1922, Duckhams developed a revolutionary new process oil to control the build up of carbon deposits in engines and in 1933, Duckhams launched the first synchromesh gearbox oil. In 1951, Duckhams was responsible for the introduction of Europe’s first multigrade oil. This iconic green motor oil would transform lubricant technology forever.
With a motorsports legacy spanning over fifty years, Duckhams has sponsored winners in motorcycle racing, Formula 1, Formula 3, Formula Ford and the Porsche Carrera Cup. Duckhams-sponsored Jackie Ickx won the F1 Race of Champions at Brands Hatch in 1974, and in 1975, James Hunt won the Dutch Grand Prix in a Surtees. In 1981, Ari Vatanen became the World Rally Champion. Duckhams’ involvement with the Porsche Carrera GB Cup began in 2021 with a first victory by Duckhams driver Dan Cammish, followed by Adam Smalley’s victory in 2023. Duckhams are also OR BRIC Superbike 2023 champions in Thailand, solidifying their motorsports legacy.
Duckhams delivers high-performance engine oils formulated to keep engines of all ages moving. Their passenger and commercial vehicle lubricants are available in over twenty countries across Europe, the Middle East and Asia.