Global Business Icon Passes Away
Gopichand Parmanand Hinduja, the billionaire co-chairman of the Hinduja Group and one of Britain’s wealthiest businessmen, passed away in London at the age of 85. His passing marks the end of an era for one of India’s most influential business dynasties with strong global roots.
As the second of the four Hinduja brothers, Gopichand Hinduja played a defining role in transforming the family’s trading enterprise into a diversified global conglomerate with business interests spanning automobiles, oil, banking, media, and healthcare.
Early Life and Entry into Business
Born into a Sindhi business family led by his father, Parmanand Deepchand Hinduja, Gopichand began his professional journey after graduating from Mumbai’s Jai Hind College. In 1959, he joined the family business, contributing to its expansion from India to the Middle East and later Europe.
In 1997, Gopichand acquired British citizenship and settled in London, from where he co-led the group alongside his elder brother Srichand Hinduja. The family consistently featured among the top ranks of the UK’s Sunday Times Rich List, often occupying the number one position.
Expanding the Hinduja Empire Across Continents
Under Gopichand’s stewardship, the Hinduja Group established a robust presence in both India and the UK. The Group’s UK operations served as the hub for global expansion and acquisitions, while its Indian ventures became the manufacturing and industrial backbone.
In the UK, Hinduja Automotive Ltd. managed the conglomerate’s automotive holdings, including Ashok Leyland and Switch Mobility. Meanwhile, Gulf Oil International strengthened the Group’s global footprint in lubricants and energy solutions. The conglomerate also diversified into financial services, media, and digital communications through entities like NXTDIGITAL Ltd.
Hinduja Group in India
In India, Gopichand Hinduja spearheaded growth through key ventures. Ashok Leyland acquired in 1987 remains one of India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturers. The Group also controls IndusInd Bank and non-banking financial arms like Hinduja Leyland Finance and Hinduja Housing Finance. Other major holdings include Gulf Oil Lubricants India Ltd. and P.D. Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai.
Through his leadership, Gopichand created a strategic bridge between India’s industrial ecosystem and the UK’s financial infrastructure, effectively integrating two economies under one global vision.
Controversies and Legal Challenges
Despite his achievements, Gopichand’s business career was not without controversy. The Bofors scandal (1986–2005) saw the Hinduja brothers named in an Indian investigation, though all charges were dismissed in 2005. The Group also faced scrutiny in the UK during the “cash-for-passports” row over political donations linked to the Millennium Dome project.
More recently, in 2025, the Group’s banking arm, IndusInd Bank, faced allegations of accounting irregularities related to its derivatives portfolio and microfinance division. A forensic review revealed overstatements of ₹172 crore, prompting a governance overhaul.
Succession and Future of the Group
Following internal disputes among the Hinduja brothers, the next generation of the family is now expected to take charge of the conglomerate’s operations. The succession process, already underway, will determine how the Group maintains its global balance of influence between India and the UK.
Analysts believe Gopichand’s passing marks a generational shift, but his leadership philosophy anchored in ethical business, cross-border cooperation, and family unity continues to guide the Group’s global strategy.
A Legacy That Transcends Borders
Gopichand Hinduja’s business acumen turned a regional trading house into a $100 billion multinational powerhouse. His model of combining Indian entrepreneurship with Western financial discipline continues to influence India’s corporate diaspora worldwide.
His demise, while marking the end of a chapter, reinforces his enduring legacy a bridge between India’s industrial roots and the UK’s corporate sophistication. As the Hinduja Group transitions into its next phase, Gopichand’s life remains a testament to the power of vision, resilience, and family enterprise.
