Tribute to Gopichand Hinduja: UK Business Titan Passes Away

Gopichand Hinduja, the billionaire leader of Britain's wealthiest family, has passed away at the age of 85. His death occurred on Tuesday in London following a prolonged illness, as confirmed by a family spokesperson. The Hinduja family, known for their low profile, topped the Sunday Times Rich List this year with an impressive combined net worth of £35.3 billion, attributed to their extensive business ventures spanning banking, oil, real estate, and entertainment.

Affectionately referred to as “GP,” Gopichand co-chaired the family business alongside his elder brother Srichand, who also passed away earlier in 2023. The brothers made a significant move from India to London in the 1970s, where they diligently worked to expand the Hinduja Group. Today, this conglomerate employs over 150,000 individuals worldwide and has grown through a series of strategic acquisitions.

Among the pivotal moments in the company's history was the acquisition of the Ashok Leyland group in 1987, which included elements of the now-defunct British automotive entity British Leyland. Additionally, during the 1980s, the Hinduja Group purchased Gulf Oil from Chevron, a major player in the US oil industry.

Gopichand Hinduja was no stranger to controversy. In 2001, it was revealed that he had contacted Peter Mandelson, a government minister at that time, regarding the procurement of a UK passport for his brother Prakash. This incident drew significant media attention, especially since the brothers had also contributed £1 million through their charitable foundation to the Millennium Dome project in London, which Mandelson was overseeing.

The entrepreneurial spirit of the Hinduja family can be traced back to their father, Parmanand Hinduja, who began trading in carpets, tea, and spices in 1914 in a region that was then part of British India, now known as Pakistan. He later expanded his business into Iran, laying the groundwork for the family's future success.

The Hinduja family's residence is an exquisite 18th-century mansion located on Carlton House Terrace, which boasts views of St James’s Park and is in proximity to Buckingham Palace. Their investment portfolio further includes the historic Old War Office (OWO) building in Whitehall, which has been transformed into a luxury development.

The OWO development has garnered attention not only for its opulence—one four-bedroom apartment sold for over £40 million—but also for the planning decisions surrounding it. Despite initial regulations requiring 8,000 square meters of affordable housing, enough to accommodate 98 flats, Westminster City Council permitted the Hinduja family to proceed with the development without including any affordable housing, based on claims from their agents that it would not be economically viable.

Gopichand Hinduja is survived by his wife, Sunita, along with their two sons, Sanjay and Dheeraj, and their daughter, Rita. His passing marks a significant moment in the landscape of UK business, as he leaves behind a legacy that has significantly impacted various sectors and shaped the economic fabric of Britain.

The story of Gopichand Hinduja is not just one of wealth but also of resilience and vision. His contributions to business and philanthropy have left an indelible mark, and his family’s ongoing endeavors will continue to influence the UK business landscape for years to come.