Hinduja Group Chairman Gopichand P Hinduja, 85 years old, passes away in London

Gopichand P Hinduja, the Hinduja Group Chairman, passed away in London on Tuesday according to a PTI report. The business world veteran was 85 years old.Gopichand P. Hinduja, commonly referred to as 'GP' amongst industry peers, served as the Chairman of both the Hinduja Group and Hinduja Automotive Ltd in the United Kingdom.Beginning his career with the family enterprise in Mumbai during 1959, he played a pivotal role in evolving the organisation from its initial Indo-Middle East trading focus into a diverse, international business group worth billions.A crucial strategic decision taken by him was the acquisition of Gulf Oil in 1984, which preceded the purchase of the then-struggling Ashok Leyland in 1987, marking the first substantial NRI investment in India.

This venture is now recognised as one of India's most notable corporate success stories.As a forward-thinking leader, GP directed the Hinduja Group's expansion into power and infrastructure, leading initiatives to establish substantial energy generation facilities across India.A graduate of Mumbai's Jai Hind College in 1959, he held honorary academic distinctions: a Doctorate of Law from the University of Westminster and a Doctorate of Economics from Richmond College, London.