London — Lord Swraj Paul, the prominent NRI industrialist, philanthropist, and founder of the UK-based Caparo Group, passed away on Thursday evening at the age of 94. Family sources said he had recently been hospitalised and died in London surrounded by loved ones.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences, praising Lord Paul’s immense contributions to industry, philanthropy, and strengthening India-UK relations. “His contributions to industry, philanthropy and public service in the UK, and his unwavering support for closer ties with India will always be remembered,” PM Modi wrote on X, recalling their many interactions.
Born in Jalandhar, Punjab, Lord Paul moved to the UK in the 1960s while seeking treatment for his young daughter Ambika, who later passed away from cancer at the age of four. In her memory, he established the Ambika Paul Foundation, which has donated millions to children’s health and education initiatives worldwide, including funding the Ambika Paul Children’s Zoo at London Zoo.
Over the decades, Lord Paul expanded Caparo Group into a global steel and engineering multinational with operations in over 40 locations across the UK, North America, India, and the Middle East. Regularly featured in the Sunday Times Rich List, he was ranked 81st this year with an estimated wealth of £2 billion.
His philanthropic efforts also honoured his late wife Aruna, who passed away in 2022, and his son Angad, who died in 2015. In 2023, he inaugurated the Lady Aruna Swraj Paul Hall at the Indian Gymkhana Club in London as a tribute to his wife.
Lord Paul also served as Chancellor of the University of Wolverhampton for more than 26 years, a role in which he conferred an honorary doctorate on his son, Akash Paul, who now leads Caparo Group’s global operations.
Despite his advancing age and frailty, Lord Paul remained an active member of the House of Lords, where he was widely respected for his dedication to public service. Lord Rami Ranger, his colleague in Parliament, said: “We pray for the departed soul. May the noble Lord rest in peace.”