Blackburn businessman Zuber Issa told students to grasp 'every opportunity’ as he received his honorary award from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) earlier this week.

Mr Issa was recognised for his contribution to business and charity, and in particular to Lancashire and the North West.

He received his award on Monday at the Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre in Preston during the week-long series of graduation ceremonies.

Zuber, alongside brother Mohsin, founded Euro Garages (later renamed EG Group) in 2001 and still live Blackburn, and in recent years the billionaires have expanded their business portfolio by taking over supermarket giant Asda.

The university said it was ‘very proud to confer an Honorary Fellowship to Zuber Issa CBE’ as Mr Issa ‘embodies the mantra of Arte et Labore (skill and labour) of his town of Blackburn and personifies the true spirit of Lancashire entrepreneurship’.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Speaking on stage Mr Issa said: “It is a pleasure to be receiving this award on behalf of business and charity.

“When we started in 2001 with one petrol station in Bury, our goals were not to be where we are today, with over 7,000 petrol stations in 10 countries.

“But what we had was an ambition and we had an opportunity. What I want to say to you students today is that you will definitely have this opportunity coming towards you.

“When the opportunity comes there are a lot of people who think and say, is this really for me?”

He added: “Take those opportunities because they don’t keep coming along. And once you do, believe in yourself and work hard.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

The graduation ceremonies this week also saw awards for veteran journalist Victoria Derbyshire, who hails from Ramsbottom, along with Burnley Council’s outgoing chief executive Mick Cartledge, and Amanda Elwen, who has led and developed domestic abuse services within the county.