Paul’s commercial success was matched by an increasingly active role in public life. In 1996 he was elevated to the House of Lords as Baron Paul of Marylebone, sitting on the Labour benches…reports Asian Lite News
Business magnate, philanthropist, and prominent Labour peer Lord Swraj Paul has died at the age of 94. Lord Paul, who served as Chancellor of the University of Wolverhampton for more than two decades, was widely regarded as a towering figure in British industry, higher education, and philanthropy. His death on Thursday prompted tributes from political leaders, academics, and business figures both in Britain and abroad.
Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, led the condolences, posting on X that he was “deeply saddened” by the passing of a man he described as a lifelong champion of stronger India–UK relations. “His contributions to industry, philanthropy and public service will always be remembered,” Mr Modi wrote.
Born in Jalandhar, India, in 1931, Swraj Paul was educated at Punjab University before pursuing graduate studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His move to Britain in 1966 was prompted by personal tragedy: his young daughter Ambika was diagnosed with leukaemia, and the family relocated to seek specialist treatment. Despite medical care, she died two years later at the age of four. The experience profoundly shaped Paul’s philanthropic outlook, and he later established the Ambika Paul Foundation in her memory.
It was also in Britain that he laid the foundations of a major industrial empire. In 1968 he founded the Caparo Group, which grew into a global engineering and manufacturing conglomerate with operations spanning Europe, Asia, and North America. At its height, the group employed thousands and became emblematic of post-war Britain’s industrial connections with the wider world.
Paul’s commercial success was matched by an increasingly active role in public life. In 1996 he was elevated to the House of Lords as Baron Paul of Marylebone, sitting on the Labour benches. Twelve years later, he became the first person of Indian heritage to hold the position of Deputy Speaker in the Lords, a role that cemented his standing as one of the most prominent figures of the Indian diaspora in British politics.
In July 2009, his achievements were further recognised when he was appointed a member of the Privy Council, formally acquiring the honorific “The Right Honourable”.
Lord Paul’s ties with the University of Wolverhampton began in 1999, when he became its Chancellor, a post he retained until his death. Over 25 years, he helped shape the institution’s growth and was instrumental in forging its reputation for widening participation and advancing social mobility.
Paying tribute, Vice-Chancellor Professor Ebrahim Adia said: “Lord Paul was a person of great humility, generosity and integrity, and he will be dearly missed. He left a profound and lasting impact on the university, always encouraging us to be ambitious and values-driven. He was deeply committed to our mission of creating opportunity for all.”
Under his stewardship, the university awarded him 15 honorary degrees, recognising not only his contribution to higher education but also his philanthropy and economic leadership. Books of condolence have been opened at the Wolverhampton and Walsall campuses, offering staff, students, and members of the public the chance to pay their respects.
Angela Spence, chair of the university’s board of governors, described him as an “inspirational and generous chancellor and a wonderful human being”. She added: “The University of Wolverhampton is a greater institution because of our long-standing association with Lord Paul. His contribution has been immense and his legacy enduring. We will all miss him.”
Lord Paul’s commitment to building bridges between Britain and India was a consistent thread throughout his career. He co-chaired the influential India–UK Round Table between 2000 and 2005, which played a central role in strengthening bilateral trade and political ties at the turn of the century. His service was recognised in 1983 by the Government of India, which awarded him the Padma Bhushan, the nation’s third-highest civilian honour.
Over the years, he became a respected voice on matters of diaspora, trade, and education, often advocating closer links between the UK and India. His unique position straddling both worlds allowed him to act as a cultural and economic bridge at a time of significant change in Britain’s post-imperial identity.
Lord Paul married Lady Aruna Swraj Paul after a whirlwind courtship of just a week. The couple went on to have three children and shared more than six decades together before Lady Paul’s sudden death in 2022, aged 86. Her passing was described by friends as a devastating blow to him, though he remained active in public life.
Friends and colleagues recall a man who combined formidable business acumen with a deep sense of social responsibility. Despite his corporate success, he was renowned for his modesty and his commitment to causes larger than himself.
Professor Adia perhaps summed up his influence best: “His contributions to industry, philanthropy and public service in the UK, and his unwavering support for closer ties with India, will always be remembered.”
As news of his death spread, tributes continued to pour in from across the globe, underscoring the breadth of his influence and the warmth with which he was regarded. From the factory floor to the red benches of the House of Lords, Lord Swraj Paul leaves behind a legacy that is both industrial and humanitarian — a reminder of the impact one life can have across continents.
