Swraj Paul, Baron Paul, Industrialist and Politician
Industrialist and Politician

Swraj Paul, Baron Paul

Born 18 February 1931 · Punjab — Died 21 August 2025

Appointed a Labour life peer in 1996 and served as deputy speaker of the House of Lords.

Swraj Paul, Baron Paul, was an Indian-born British business magnate and philanthropist. In 1996 he was appointed a Labour life peer under Conservative prime minister John Major, and sat in the House of Lords as a non-affiliated peer with the title Baron Paul, of Marylebone, in the City of Westminster. In December 2008 he was appointed deputy speaker of the Lords; in October 2009 he was appointed to the Privy Council.

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A detail that
surprised us

“

The site where Swraj Paul grew up in Jullundur is now home to Apeejay School, directly connecting his family’s legacy to ongoing education in Punjab.

The Story

1
In 1966, Swraj Paul moved from India to the UK seeking treatment for his daughter’s leukemia, an event that shifted his life from family business in Punjab to founding his own empire.
2
🌟 Just two years later, in 1968, he launched the Caparo Group, which evolved into one of the UK’s largest steel manufacturing and distribution companies, employing over 10,000 people across multiple continents by 2015.
3In 1996, under Conservative Prime Minister John Major, Paul was appointed a Labour life peer as Baron Paul of Marylebone, marking a rare cross-party recognition for an Indian-born industrialist in the House of Lords.
4🌿 His philanthropic footprint includes funding the Ambika Paul Children’s Zoo at London’s Regent’s Park, named after his late daughter, blending his personal loss with public charity.

🏅 Awards & Honours

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🏅 Life peerage as Baron Paul of Marylebone

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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In 1966, Swraj Paul relocated to the UK primarily for his daughter's leukemia treatment, a personal crisis that precipitated his founding of the Caparo Group just two years later in 1968.

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Through the Years

2 photographs from the archives
Swraj Paul, Baron Paul meeting Union Minister for Railways in New Delhi (2016)
Swraj Paul, Baron Paul meeting Union Minister for Railways in New Delhi (2016)
2016
Swraj Paul, Baron Paul official full-sized portrait (2019)

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Born in Jullundur, Punjab Province
Swraj Paul was born in Jullundur, British India, into a family running a small foundry business making steel buckets and farming equipment.
1931
🌟
Other
Relocated to UK for daughter's treatment
Moved to the United Kingdom seeking medical care for his young daughter who was battling leukemia.
1966
⚡
Career
Founded Caparo Group
Started Caparo Group in the UK, which grew into a major steel manufacturing and distribution company.
1968
🏅
Award
Appointed Labour life peer
Received life peerage as Baron Paul of Marylebone, sitting in the House of Lords as a non-affiliated peer.
1996
⚡
Career
Became Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords
Appointed deputy speaker, increasing his political role within the UK Parliament.
2008
🏅
Award
Appointed to Privy Council
Joined the UK Privy Council, an advisory body to the monarch and government.
2009
⚡
Career
Caparo Group collapse
16 of 20 UK Caparo companies entered administration amid financial troubles; shortly after, his son and CEO died tragically.
2015
🌟
Other
Donated $5 million to MIT
Gifted $5 million to Massachusetts Institute of Technology for the establishment of the Swraj Paul Theatre.
2020
🕊️
Death
Passed away in London
Swraj Paul died at age 94 in London, marking the end of a career that bridged continents and industries.
2025
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 04
🔍LESSER KNOWN

Despite being appointed a Labour life peer in 1996, he was elevated under a Conservative Prime Minister, John Major, illustrating an unusual cross-party recognition.

02 / 04
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

Caparo Group, founded in 1968, employed over 10,000 people worldwide by 2015 before a major collapse of its UK companies later that year.

03 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

The Ambika Paul Children’s Zoo in Regent’s Park, London, is funded by Paul’s foundation in memory of his daughter, linking personal loss to public philanthropy.

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🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Rajiv Mishra Talk Show Special Guest with Lord Swraj Paul Part II

🌱 What changed because of them

Swraj Paul's establishment of the Caparo Group created thousands of jobs across continents, significantly impacting the UK steel industry. His philanthropy, particularly in education and zoology, funded lasting institutions such as the Ambika Paul Children's Zoo and the Swraj Paul Theatre at MIT. His entry into the House of Lords and the Privy Council symbolized the integration of Indian-origin industrialists into British political life, influencing cross-cultural business and philanthropic engagement.

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