Industrialist Gopichand P. Hinduja, Chairman of the Hinduja Group and one of Britain’s richest individuals, passed away in London on Tuesday at the age of 85, according to a PTI report.
Second-generation business leader
Gopichand, affectionately known as ‘GP’ among his peers, was part of the second generation of the Hinduja family. He took over as Chairman of the Hinduja Group following the death of his elder brother, Srichand P. Hinduja, in May 2023.
He is survived by his wife Sunita, two sons — Sanjay and Dheeraj, and a daughter, Rita. Earlier this year, The Sunday Times Rich List once again ranked the Hinduja family as the wealthiest in Britain, reaffirming their longstanding business legacy.
A visionary industrialist
Beginning his career in Mumbai in 1959, Gopichand played a pivotal role in transforming the Hinduja Group from an Indo–Middle East trading business into a global industrial powerhouse.
Under his leadership, the conglomerate diversified across automotive, energy, finance, infrastructure, media, and healthcare sectors.
Milestone acquisitions and legacy
One of GP’s landmark business moves was the acquisition of Gulf Oil in 1984, followed by the purchase of Ashok Leyland in 1987 — a significant Non-Resident Indian (NRI) investment in India at the time.
Ashok Leyland went on to become one of India’s most successful commercial vehicle manufacturers, symbolising GP’s foresight in nurturing long-term industrial growth.
He also guided the group’s entry into power and infrastructure, launching multiple projects to enhance India’s energy generation capacity.
Academic honours and early life
A graduate of Jai Hind College, Mumbai (1959), Gopichand Hinduja was conferred with honorary doctorates — a Doctorate of Law from the University of Westminster and a Doctorate of Economics from Richmond College, London.
Known for his discipline, humility, and global vision, he was respected across business circles for blending traditional family values with modern management practices.
About the Hinduja Group
Founded in 1919 by Parmanand Deepchand Hinduja, the Hinduja Group began as a trading company in Iran before expanding into a diversified multinational enterprise headquartered in Mumbai.
The group now employs over 2 lakh people worldwide, with business interests spanning banking and finance, energy, automotive, media, lubricants, and cable television.
The family shifted their base to London in 1979, cementing their presence as one of the most influential business dynasties in the UK and India alike.