Gopichand P Hinduja, chairman of the century-old Hinduja Group and one of Britain’s wealthiest businessmen, passed away in London on Tuesday at 85. Fondly called ‘GP’, Hinduja transformed his family’s modest trading firm into a multibillion-rupee empire that spans continents and industries. He is survived by his wife Sunita, sons Sanjay and Dheeraj, and daughter Rita.
Gopichand Hinduja net worth: Britain’s richest family two years in a row
Earlier this year, The Sunday Times Rich List named Gopichand Hinduja and his family as Britain’s richest for the second consecutive year, with an estimated net worth of Rs 33.68 lakh crore (£35.3 billion). This was a slight dip from 2024, but the Hindujas continued to top the UK’s billionaire charts.
The family’s business group employs over 2 lakh people globally and operates in diverse sectors including transport, oil, power, banking, infrastructure, IT, and entertainment. Two of its flagship ventures Ashok Leyland and IndusInd Bank have become key pillars of India’s economy.
Assets and empire Gopichand Hinduja leaves behind
Under Gopichand Hinduja’s leadership, the group grew into a global powerhouse with more than 50 companies spread across Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
The Hinduja Group’s industrial assets include major holdings in Ashok Leyland, Hinduja Global Solutions, Hinduja Tech, Hinduja Bank (Switzerland), NXTDigital, and Gulf Oil International.
In London, the family is also known for owning the Hinduja Mansion at Carlton House Terrace, one of the city’s most expensive private residences estimated at over Rs 6,000 crore.
Gopichand Hinduja’s Early life and beginnings in Mumbai
Born in Mumbai in 1939, Gopichand Hinduja belonged to the second generation of the Hinduja family. After graduating from Jai Hind College, he joined the family’s business in 1959, which at the time focused mainly on Indo-Middle East trade.
From the start, he was known for his strategic thinking and long-term vision. In 1984, he spearheaded the group’s acquisition of Gulf Oil, marking its entry into heavy industry.
Just three years later, the group purchased Ashok Leyland, then a struggling truck manufacturer, a move that became one of India’s most successful corporate turnarounds.
That deal was also significant for being one of the first major investments by an NRI family in India, setting a precedent for future global Indian businesses.
Shaping the London chapter
The Hinduja family’s global journey began when founder Parmanand Deepchand Hinduja moved from Sindh (now in Pakistan) to Iran in 1919.
By 1979, the family shifted its base to London to be closer to global financial markets. Gopichand later became a British citizen in 1997 and established the group as one of the UK’s most powerful family businesses.
As chairman of Hinduja Group and Hinduja Automotive Ltd, he became a respected name in both the British and Indian business communities.
He often said the family’s business philosophy was to “blend Eastern values with Western efficiency” which helped them achieve global success.
Awards and philanthropy
Throughout his life, Gopichand Hinduja received multiple honours, including honorary doctorates in law from the University of Westminster and in economics from Richmond College, London.
He was known for his low-profile philanthropic work, focusing on healthcare, education, and humanitarian causes.
He also played a major role in strengthening India–UK business relations, promoting cross-border investments and employment opportunities.
The end of an era
After the passing of his elder brother Srichand Hinduja in May 2023, Gopichand took over as the group’s chairman, continuing the Hinduja business.
His passing marks the end of an era for one of the world’s most powerful business dynasties, a family that started with a small trading venture in pre-independence India and grew into a global enterprise worth hundreds of thousands of crores.
