Summary

Gopichand Hinduja, born in 1940 in Shikarpur (then part of British India, now in Pakistan), is the co-chairman of the Hinduja Group, a diversified multinational conglomerate with interests spanning various sectors, including automotive, banking and finance, energy, IT, media, real estate and healthcare. Under his leadership, the group has experienced significant growth, with key operations established in India, the UK, Europe and West Asia.

A member of the influential Hinduja family, Gopichand joined the family business in the 1960s and has played a pivotal role in steering the group's global expansion, particularly through strategic acquisitions and partnerships. He is based in London and is known for his behind-the-scenes influence in business and political circles. The Hinduja brothers, led by Srichand (until his passing in 2023) and Gopichand, have consistently ranked among the richest in the UK and globally.

Personal Information

Achievements

• Gopichand Hinduja co-chairs the Hinduja Group, employing about 200,000 employees across 38 countries.
• He has overseen the group’s expansion in banking and finance through IndusInd Bank and Hinduja Bank.
• He has pioneered significant acquisitions, including Ashok Leyland, Gulf Oil and HGS.
• He has been ranked as one of the UK's wealthiest individuals for over a decade.

Major Events Timeline

• In 1960s, GP joined the family business in Mumbai in 1959.
• In 1979, The Hindujas moved their international headquarters from Tehran to London after the Iranian Revolution of 1979.
• In 1987, The group acquired Ashok Leyland, the then-struggling Indian automotive manufacturer from British Leyland, which was then the first major NRI investment in India.
• In 1994, The group made an entrance in the banking and cable television sector with the IndusInd Bank and with IndusInd Media and Communications in 1995.
• In 2000s, The group diversified into IT services with Hinduja Global Solutions.
• In 2019, Srichand and Gopichand Hinduja became the richest men in the UK after topping the Sunday Times Rich List in 2014 and 2017. They have retained this position since then.
• In 2023, Gopichand Ahuja took over as chairman after his older brother Srichand Hinduja died in May 2023.

Challenges & Controversies

Gopichand Hinduja and other Hinduja family members have faced scrutiny over several high-profile matters. In 2001, the family was embroiled in the Bofors scandal in India, though they were later cleared of any wrongdoing.

The Hinduja family has also been embroiled in internal disputes over succession planning and asset control. In 2020, tensions became public when differing interpretations of a 2014 letter signed by the four brothers led to a legal battle in the UK, questioning whether all jointly owned assets were held in one brother's name. These issues have since reportedly moved toward settlement.

In June 2024, Prakash Hinduja and his wife, Kamal, were each sentenced to four years and six months in prison and their son Ajay and his wife, Namrata, received four-year terms in Switzerland for exploiting domestic staff at their Geneva villa. They announced that an appeal has been filed in a higher court to challenge the verdict, which found them guilty of exploiting vulnerable domestic workers.