By WAF Think Tank
WAF wishes to honour and celebrate the life of Shri Gopichand Parmanand Hinduja ji — known affectionately in his circles as “GP”. Born on 29 February 1940 and departing us on 4 November 2025, he leaves behind a powerful legacy of business, global citizenship, philanthropy, and family.
A Journey from Humble Beginnings
GP Sir came from modest roots — the son of Shri Parmanand Deepchand Hinduja ji , the founder of what would become the Hinduja Group. His early years took him from Mumbai (then Bombay) and Tehran, into the family business trading textiles, tea, spices, and services — an environment of entrepreneurial drive and global perspective.
In 1959, he joined the family enterprise and over the next decades helped transform the business into an international conglomerate.
The Architect of Global Enterprise
Under GP sir’s leadership and in partnership with his brothers, the Hinduja Group moved well beyond its trading origins. They acquired major companies: for example, Ashok Leyland in India (1987) and Gulf Oil International (1980s) — bold steps to build a diversified footprint.
By 2025, the Hinduja family was reported to have a combined net worth of around £35.3 billion and to employ well over 150,000 people globally.
GP sir’s business philosophy was characterised by a simple creed of common sense and steady expansion, building on vision and opportunity.
Leadership, Character, and Values
GP sir was known as a humble and joyful man despite the scale of his success.
He believed in giving back, both through business and philanthropy. The Hinduja Foundation and related charitable endeavours carried forward a commitment to education, health, and community service.
Yet, he also maintained a private personality — choosing to lead rather than shine in the spotlight. This mix of global ambition and personal modesty is rare in someone of his stature.
Family and Personal Life
GP sir was married to Sunita Hinduja and is survived by — children: Sanjay, Dheeraj and Rita. His family carried forward the values of the business while navigating both opportunities and challenges.
His heritage was Sindhi, with roots in India and Iran, and he became a British citizen, symbolising his truly global identity.
Legacy and the Road Ahead
GP sir’s life teaches us several lasting lessons:
- Vision & Persistence: Starting from trading and small-scale commerce, he and his brothers built a global enterprise that operates in dozens of countries and spans multiple sectors.
- Global-Local Balance: He blended Indian roots with a UK base, demonstrating how cultural identity and global viewpoint can coexist.
- Humanity in Success: Despite enormous wealth and power, he emphasised humility, friendship, and joy.
- Responsibility: His philanthropic commitments show that wealth and privilege carry a duty to society.
Though he has departed, the structures he helped build — the Hinduja Group, the philanthropic foundations, the family’s contributions to commerce and society — remain. They form his living legacy.
A Final Farewell
Anuj Guglani, CEO, WAF Group comments, “We honour GP sir, not only for the empire he built but for the spirit with which he lived. We remember his journey, his leadership, his kindness, his sense of purpose. We at WAF, recognise the void his passing leaves and we commit to carrying forward the values he embodied.In our hearts, may his memory be a source of inspiration. May we strive to live with vision, integrity, humility and service.”
May God bless your Soul, Shri Gopichand Parmanand Hinduja ji. Om Shanti. You shall continue to live on, in this world through the influence you created. We are sure it shall echo for generations to come.
