Gopichand Hinduja, the head of Britain’s wealthiest family, has passed away at the age of 85. Mr. Hinduja, often referred to as GP, was a key figure in the Hinduja Group, a multinational conglomerate that spans 11 sectors, including finance, media, and oil, employing around 200,000 people globally.
The family released a statement acknowledging his significant impact, remarking that he would leave a noticeable absence within the family. Mr. Hinduja played a crucial role in transforming his father’s small textile and trading ventures into a major global enterprise, positioning it as one of India’s largest companies. The Hinduja family’s net worth was reported at £35.3 billion in the latest Sunday Times Rich List, also ranking 11th on Forbes’ list of India’s wealthiest business figures for 2024.
Mr. Hinduja was the second oldest of four brothers who managed the family business over the decades. The eldest brother, Srichand, died earlier in 2023 at the age of 87. It remains unclear who will succeed him in leading the conglomerate. Ashok, the youngest brother, is responsible for the group’s operations in India, including the truck manufacturing company Ashok Leyland.
In addition to their business interests, the family has considerable real estate holdings in London, including several properties near St James’s Park and the Old War Office in Whitehall, which is undergoing refurbishment into a hotel.
Although Mr. Hinduja maintained a low public profile, he was notably involved in a political controversy in 2001, linked to the “Hinduja affair,” which resulted in the resignation of Lord Peter Mandelson. The inquiry that followed cleared Mr. Mandelson of any wrongdoing. Additionally, Mr. Hinduja’s brother Prakash, along with family members, faced legal issues in Switzerland last year concerning the exploitation of domestic staff in their residence.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdx4jy9qp27o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss