Gopichand P. Hinduja, Chairman of the Hinduja Group and one of India’s most respected global business leaders, passed away in London on Tuesday at the age of 85, according to a PTI report.
A towering figure in international business, Gopichand — affectionately known as “GP” among peers — was part of the second generation of the Hinduja family. He assumed the role of Chairman of the Hinduja Group following the passing of his elder brother, Srichand P. Hinduja, in May 2023.
He is survived by his wife, Sunita, sons Sanjay and Dheeraj, and daughter Rita. Earlier this year, The Sunday Times Rich List reaffirmed that Gopichand and his family continued to hold the title of Britain’s richest individuals.
Born into the illustrious Hinduja family, Gopichand began his professional journey in 1959 with the family enterprise in Mumbai. Over the decades, he was instrumental in transforming the business from its origins as an Indo–Middle East trading company into a global conglomerate spanning multiple industries and geographies.
One of his most defining strategic moves came in 1984, when the Hinduja Group acquired Gulf Oil, followed by the landmark purchase of Ashok Leyland in 1987 — a then-struggling truck manufacturer that went on to become one of India’s most successful and enduring corporate turnarounds. The acquisition also marked the first major NRI investment in India at the time, underscoring Gopichand’s deep-rooted confidence in the country’s industrial potential.
Under his leadership, the Group diversified further into sectors such as power, infrastructure, banking, finance, media, lubricants, and cable television. His vision also steered the Group’s foray into energy generation, spearheading large-scale power projects across India.
A graduate of Jai Hind College, Mumbai (Class of 1959), Gopichand Hinduja was the recipient of several honorary distinctions, including a Doctorate of Law from the University of Westminster and a Doctorate of Economics from Richmond College, London.
Headquartered in Mumbai, the Hinduja Group today stands as a global business powerhouse employing around 200,000 people across its various companies. The conglomerate traces its roots to 1919, when founder Parmanand Deepchand Hinduja moved from Sindh (then part of undivided India, now in Pakistan) to Iran to establish the family’s trading operations. The Group later shifted its headquarters to London in 1979, cementing its global presence.
Gopichand P. Hinduja’s passing marks the end of an era for the Hinduja family and the international business community. His legacy — defined by entrepreneurship, foresight, and an unwavering belief in India’s global potential — continues to shape one of the world’s most influential business empires.