Gopichand P Hinduja, Hinduja Group chairman, passes away at 85
What's the story
Gopichand P Hinduja, the Chairman of the Hinduja Group and a prominent figure in the business world, has passed away at the age of 85 in London. He was instrumental in transforming his family's business into a global conglomerate. Gopichand took over as chairman after his elder brother Srichand's death in May 2023. He is survived by his wife Sunita, two sons Sanjay and Dheeraj, and a daughter named Rita.
Business legacy
He was known as 'GP' in business circles
Gopichand, popularly known as 'GP' in business circles, was the Chairman of both Hinduja Group and Hinduja Automotive Ltd in the UK. He started his career with the family business in Mumbai in 1959, and played a key role in transforming it from an Indo-Middle East trading company into a multi-billion dollar global conglomerate. One of his major strategic moves was acquiring Gulf Oil in 1984, followed by buying Ashok Leyland (then on its knees) in 1987.
Expansion efforts
GP's leadership and the Hinduja Group's journey
As a visionary leader, GP led the Hinduja Group's foray into power and infrastructure, spearheading projects to set up large power plants across India. The group, which employs nearly 200,000 people globally, was founded by Parmanand Deepchand Hinduja in 1914 after he moved from Sindh (then part of India) to Iran. In 1979, the business moved its headquarters from Iran to London.
Academic accolades
Education and recognition
A graduate of Jai Hind College in Mumbai, GP held honorary academic titles: a Doctorate of Law from the University of Westminster, and a Doctorate of Economics from Richmond College, London. His contributions to the business world were recognized globally, as he and his family were named UK's richest individuals for seven consecutive years by The Sunday Times Rich List.