Notable names India Inc lost in 2025

The leaders who left their industries richer with their contributions, and poorer with their passing away

Dec 30, 2025, 16:08 IST2 min

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Simone Tata was a trailblazing business leader whose strategic vision helped transform Lakmé into a beloved national brand and, later, laid the foundation for the Westside retail chain through Trent Ltd. Her work reshaped India’s beauty and retail sectors, empowering consumers and building brands that have endured over decades. Widely respected for her leadership as well as her philanthropic efforts, she remained a guiding figure in Indian industry for over 40 years. She passed away on December 5, 2025 at the age of 95, concluding a life that quietly but powerfully shaped modern Indian consumer culture.
Photo by Indranil Mukherjee / AFP

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Gopichand P Hinduja, affectionately called “GP”, was a formidable force in global business, serving as co-chairman and eventually chairman of the Hinduja Group—a multinational enterprise spanning sectors such as automotive, energy, finance and health care. Under his stewardship, which spanned decades, the group broadened its worldwide reach and solidified its reputation as a leading global conglomerate. He died in London on November 4, 2025, at the age of 85, marking the close of a remarkable journey that shaped one of India’s most influential business families.
Photo by Katy Watson for Forbes India

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Piyush Pandey was an advertising leader whose creative imagination reshaped the landscape of brand storytelling. He crafted unforgettable campaigns for Fevicol, Cadbury, Asian Paints and other major brands, along with impactful public service messages that resonated deeply across generations. As chief creative officer at Ogilvy India, he inspired countless professionals through his wit, cultural understanding and warmth. Pandey passed away on October 23, 2025, at 70, leaving an imprint on Indian advertising that will continue to influence creative minds for years to come.
Photo by Mexy Xavier

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Sunjay Kapur was a prominent entrepreneur and billionaire industrialist, best known as the chairman of Sona Comstar, a global supplier of mobility and automotive technology. Under his guidance, the company expanded its presence in precision engineering and EV related components, strengthening India’s position in global supply chains. He also played an influential role in industry forums, serving as president of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA). Kapur died on June 12, 2025, at 53 while overseas, bringing to an untimely close a career that had significantly advanced India’s automotive ambitions.
Photo by Madhu Kapparath

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Swraj Paul was a renowned India-born British industrialist and philanthropist who built the Caparo Group into an international name in the steel and engineering sector. A graduate of MIT and a bridge between Indian and British business communities, he created a legacy defined by enterprise, charitable work and public service, including long-standing contributions in the House of Lords. His efforts strengthened ties between the two nations and supported education and community development worldwide. He passed away on August 21, 2025, at 94.
Photo by Manpreet Romana / AFP

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A Vellayan was a distinguished industrialist and former executive chairman of the Murugappa Group, where he championed stronger governance, nurtured professional leadership, and steered the organisation through a period of purposeful diversification and global expansion. Admired for his composed leadership style and far-sighted approach, he played a major role in elevating Murugappa into one of India’s most respected conglomerates. He passed away on November 17, 2025, in Chennai, closing a chapter defined by mentorship and steady contributions to India’s economic landscape.
Photo by Raju Patil for Forbes India