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, a member of the Hinduja family’s second generation, assumed the role of chairman after his older brother Srichand passed away in May 2023.He leaves behind his spouse Sunita, two sons Sanjay and Dheeraj, and a daughter Rita. Earlier this year, The Sunday Times Rich List said that Gopichand Hinduja and his family maintained their status as Britain’s richest individuals.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.The Hinduja Group, headquartered in Mumbai, operates as an extensive multinational corporation with diverse interests including banking and finance, energy, media, trucks, lubricants, and cable television. The organisation, which provides employment to approximately 200,000 individuals worldwide, was established by Parmanand Deepchand Hinduja in 1919 following his relocation from Sindh (formerly part of India, presently in Pakistan) to Iran.The business headquarters subsequently relocated from Iran to London in 1979.