Lord Swraj Paul, Business Leader and Philanthropist, Passes Away
Lord Swraj Paul, a renowned Indian-born British business leader and philanthropist, died on Thursday evening in London at the age of 94. He is best remembered as the founder of the Caparo Group, a UK-based industrial company. Lord Paul had been ill and spent his final moments surrounded by family.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared his condolences, writing on X, “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Shri Swaraj Paul Ji. His impact on industry, philanthropy, and public service in the UK, as well as his support for stronger ties with India, will always be remembered. I cherish our many interactions and extend my heartfelt condolences to his family.”
Born on February 18, 1931, in Jalandhar, India, Lord Paul completed his schooling there before earning a Bachelor of Science degree from Punjab University in 1949. He then moved to the United States, where he obtained both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
In the 1960s, Lord Paul moved to the UK for medical care for his young daughter, Ambika, who tragically passed away from leukemia at the age of four. In her memory, he created the Ambika Paul Foundation, a charity that has contributed millions to support children’s education, health, and welfare worldwide. Last month, during an annual event, he fondly recalled the London Zoo, where Ambika loved to visit.
After the passing of Lady Paul in 2022, the family decided to honor her memory by renaming the foundation to the Aruna and Ambika Paul Foundation, recognizing her significant contributions to its causes.
The Caparo Group, founded by Lord Paul in 1968, grew into a global steel and engineering powerhouse with operations in the UK, North America, India, and the Middle East. At its height, it employed more than 10,000 people and specialized in various sectors such as structural steel, precision tubes, and industrial wires. Though he stepped back from active management in 1996, Lord Paul remained an essential figure in the company, with his son Akash serving as Chairman of Caparo India.
A prominent advocate for Indo-British relations, Lord Paul was known for his unwavering support of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He earned the nickname “man of steel” for his resilience in both business and personal life. He was knighted in 1978, became a life peer in 1996 under Prime Minister John Major, and served as Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords from 2008 to 2010. In 2009, he became a member of the Privy Council.
Lord Paul’s contributions to society were honored with the Padma Bhushan in 1983, India’s third-highest civilian award. His philanthropic efforts extended to education, with notable donations to institutions like the University of Wolverhampton and the University of Westminster, where he held the title of Chancellor at various times. His £1 million donation to Wolverhampton in 2015 remains the university’s largest single gift, leading to the establishment of the Ambika Paul Student Union Centre.
During the recent inauguration of the Lady Aruna Swraj Paul Hall at London’s Indian Gymkhana Club, he paid touching tribute to his late wife, saying they “never had an argument” in their 65 years together. His legacy continues through his close connections with his children, Akash and Anjli Paul, and their contributions to his enduring work.
