A Legacy of Wealth and Influence: Remembering Gopichand Hinduja

The head of Britain’s richest family, Gopichand Hinduja, widely known as GP, has passed away at the age of 85. His family’s wealth primarily stems from the Hinduja Group, a colossal Indian conglomerate that operates across 11 sectors including finance, media, entertainment, and oil, employing roughly 200,000 individuals globally. In a heartfelt statement, the family remarked, “He will leave a deep hole at the heart of our family,” and that he would be ”remembered for his formidable work”.

Gopichand was instrumental in transforming his father’s modest textile and trading businesses into a global conglomerate, making it one of the largest companies in India. Lord Karan Bilimoria, founder of Cobra Beer, emphasized GP’s role in strengthening ties between India and the UK, noting that his contributions spanned sectors like banking, manufacturing, and property, effectively bridging the two nations.

The Hinduja family topped the recent Sunday Times Rich List with a staggering net worth of £35.3 billion and secured the 11th position on Forbes’ list of India’s 100 richest businesspeople in 2024. GP was the second eldest of four brothers who managed the family business for decades, following the death of Srichand, the oldest brother, in 2023. The succession plans for the conglomerate’s leadership remain unclear, though the youngest brother, Ashok, currently oversees operations in India, including the truck manufacturing company, Ashok Leyland.

With operations in 48 countries and significant real estate holdings in London, the Hinduja family is a powerhouse in global business. They own multiple prestigious properties, including large homes near St James’s Park and the historic Old War Office in Whitehall, recently redeveloped into a hotel.

Despite his accomplishments, GP largely maintained a low profile and was involved in the controversial “Hinduja affair” in 2001 when he faced scrutiny over his brother Prakash’s acquisition of British citizenship. This incident resulted in a political scandal but concluded with no wrongdoing found. In a notable twist, last year a Swiss court sentenced Prakash, his wife, and their son to prison for mistreating domestic staff in their Geneva residence. Gopichand Hinduja’s legacy of influence, wealth, and complex history will certainly leave a lasting mark on industries spanning continents.