Indian-British billionaire Gopichand Hinduja, chairman of Hinduja Group, passes away at 85

Indian-British billionaire industrialist and chairman of the Hinduja Group, Gopichand Parmanand Hinduja, passed away at the age of 85.

Fondly known as 'GP' in business circles, Gopichand P. Hinduja was unwell for past few weeks and died in a London hospital, PTI reported citing sources close to his family.

Tory peer Rami Ranger, a member of the British House of Lords, paid a heartfelt tribute to Hinduja, calling him “one of the most gracious, humble, and loyal friends,” and said his death marked the “end of an era.”

“Dear friends, with a heavy heart, I share with you the tragic loss of our beloved friend, Mr GP Hinduja, who has departed for his heavenly abode. He was one of the most gracious, humble, and loyal friends. His passing marks the end of an era, as he was truly a well-wisher of the community and a guiding force,” Ranger said in a statement.

Born in 1940 in India, Hinduja was the second of the four Hinduja brothers and took over as chairman of the Hinduja Group in 2023, following the death of his elder brother, Srichand Hinduja.

G P Hinduja had been a regular feature in the annual ‘Sunday Times Rich List’, with the Hinduja Group topping this year's tally for the fourth consecutive year with an estimated fortune of GBP 35.3 billion.

He also headed Hinduja Automotive Ltd, overseeing the group’s diverse global business interests spanning banking and finance, transport, energy, and technology.

An alumnus of Mumbai’s Jai Hind College (Class of 1959), Hinduja held an honorary Doctor of Law degree from the University of Westminster and an honorary Doctorate of Economics from Richmond College, London.

He is survived by his wife, Sunita, sons Sanjay and Dheeraj, and daughter, Rita.