Gopichand P Hinduja, the influential chairman of the global Hinduja Group, died in London on Tuesday at the age of 85. Known widely as 'GP' in business circles, he passed away in a London hospital after being unwell for several weeks. Hinduja played a pivotal role in transforming the family's enterprise from a trading operation into a vast multinational conglomerate.^[1][2][3][4] ### A Legacy of Global Expansion Gopichand P Hinduja was born in 1940 and was the second son of Parmanand Deepchand Hinduja, who founded the family business in 1914 in India's Sindh region.^[2][5][6] He graduated from Mumbai's Jai Hind College in 1959.^[2][5] Gopichand joined the family business in the late 1950s, embarking on a career that spanned more than six decades.^[4][5][6] He was instrumental in expanding the company from its initial focus on Indo-Middle East trading into a diverse, international business group.^[1][7][4] Under his leadership, the Hinduja Group made significant strategic acquisitions. In 1984, the group acquired Gulf Oil, followed by the purchase of Ashok Leyland in 1987.^[7][4][8] The acquisition of Ashok Leyland marked one of the first major investments by non-resident Indians (NRIs) in India and became a notable corporate success story.^[7][4] Gopichand also directed the group’s expansion into critical sectors like power and infrastructure, leading initiatives to establish substantial energy generation facilities across India. ^[7]### Diversified Empire and Economic Impact The Hinduja Group today is a globe-spanning conglomerate with operations in over 30 countries and employs approximately 200,000 people worldwide. T^{[9][6][10][11]}he group's diverse interests span 11 key sectors. These include automotive, banking and finance, information technology, oil and specialty chemicals, cybersecurity, healthcare, trading, infrastructure project development, media and entertainment, power, and real estate. ^{[1][9][4][12][13][14]}Well-known brands under the Hinduja umbrella include Ashok Leyland in the automotive sector, IndusInd Bank in banking and finance, and NXTDIGITAL Limited in media and entertainment. T^[1][13][15]he Hinduja family consistently ranked among the wealthiest in the United Kingdom. T^[9][5][6]he 2025 edition of The Sunday Times Rich List recently ranked the Hinduja family as the richest in the UK, with an estimated net worth of £35.3 billion. Th^[10][11]is highlights the group's significant influence and success on a global scale. #^[6]## Family Leadership and Recent Transitions Gopichand was one of four Hinduja brothers, often referred to as the "Fab Four," who collectively built and expanded the family's business empire across continents. Th^[2][5][14]e brothers, including Srichand, Prakash, and Ashok, were known for their collaborative approach to business. Fo^[12]llowing the death of his elder brother Srichand P Hinduja in May 2023, Gopichand took over as chairman of the Hinduja Group. T^{[2][3][7][4][5][16]}he Hinduja family made headlines in 2021 due to a dispute that reached a London courtroom. Th^[1][2][8]is feud centered on an agreement among the four brothers from 2013 stating that "everything belongs to everyone and nothing belongs to anyone." At^[1] the time, Srichand Hinduja was suffering from dementia. Go^[1][8]pichand is survived by his wife, Sunita, his sons Sanjay and Dheeraj, and his daughter Rita. Hi^{[2][3][4][5][16]}s brothers Prakash and Ashok continue to lead the group’s operations worldwide. ###^[2][6] Tributes and Philanthropy Condolences poured in from political and business leaders globally for Gopichand Hinduja. UK l^[2]awmaker Rami Ranger described him as "one of the most gracious, humble, and loyal friends." Rang^[2][6]er added that Gopichand's death "marks the end of an era." Gop^[2][3][6]ichand was recognized internationally for his contributions to business and philanthropy. He h^[4][6]eld honorary doctorate degrees from the University of Westminster and Richmond, The American International University in London. He w^[1][2][4][5]as also a vocal champion for closer economic ties between India and the UK, often encouraging businesses to invest in the growing Indian market. Gop^[3]ichand P Hinduja's passing marks a significant transition for the century-old Hinduja Group. His visionary leadership and strategic acumen were crucial in building one of the world's most diversified and influential business empires. MET^[4][16]A_TITLE: Hinduja Group Chairman Gopichand Hinduja Dies at 85 in London