London/India – Lord Swraj Paul, an illustrious Indian-born British industrialist and philanthropist, passed away in London at the age of 94, as confirmed by his family. Born in Jalandhar in 1931, Lord Paul built a global steel empire, made his mark in public service, and remained a prominent advocate for stronger Indo-British relations throughout his life.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourned his passing, saying, “Deeply saddened by the passing of Shri Swaraj Paul Ji. His contributions to industry, philanthropy and public service in the UK, and his unwavering support for closer ties with India will always be remembered.” He added, “I fondly recall our many interactions. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti.”

Brief Biography: Lord Swraj Paul (Baron Paul of Marylebone)

Early Life & Education

• Born: 18 February 1931, Jalandhar, British India, into a family running a small foundry.
• Education: Attended Forman Christian College and Doaba College in India before earning BSc and MSc (Mechanical Engineering) degrees from MIT, USA.

From Family Business to Caparo Group

• After a short tenure in the family’s Apeejay Group, he relocated to the UK in 1966 for his daughter Ambika’s cancer treatment. Her passing inspired him to start anew, founding Caparo Group in 1968which grew into one of the UK’s largest steel conversion and distribution enterprises.
• Caparo expanded operations across the UK, India, North America, and the Middle East, employing over 10,000 people and achieving revenues exceeding £500 million.

Public Service & Philanthropy

• Peerage: Named a life peer in 1996 as Baron Paul of Marylebone, serving non-affiliated in the House of Lords.
• Positions Held: Served as Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords (2008), member of the Privy Council (2009), Chancellor of universities (Wolverhampton, Westminster), and played a key role in delivering infrastructure for the London 2012 Olympics.
• Philanthropy:
  • Founded the Ambika Paul Foundation in memory of his daughter, later renamed the Aruna & Ambika Paul Foundation after his wife’s passing, to support education and healthcare initiatives.
  • Supported London Zoo’s children’s section and invested in cultural heritage prerogatives.

Honors & Recognitions

• Awarded Padma Bhushan (1983), knighted (1978), and honored with numerous honorary degrees and civic awards including the Freedom of the City of London.

Personal Losses & Legacy

• Endured personal tragedies: daughter Ambika, son Angad (2015), and wife Aruna (2022), yet remained steadfast in his philanthropic spirit.
• Ranked among the wealthiest Asians in the UK, he still preferred modest transport and lived simply despite his success.

Summary Table: Lord Swraj Paul at a Glance

Category	Details
Born	18 Feb 1931, Jalandhar
Education	MIT (BSc, MSc Mechanical Engineering)
Founded	Caparo Group (1968), in memory of his daughter
Titles	Baron Paul of Marylebone (Life Peer, House of Lords), member of Privy Council
Philanthropy	Ambika/Aruna & Ambika Paul Foundation, support for London Zoo, education initiatives
Awards	Padma Bhushan (1983), knighthood (1978), more
Passed Away	21 August 2025, London, aged 94

Lord Swraj Paul’s life journey from the bylanes of Jalandhar to the highest echelons of British industry and public service is a powerful testament to resilience, impact, and legacy. His story stands as an inspiration for cross-border vision and compassionate leadership.