Lord Swraj Paul of Marylebone, University of Wolverhampton Chancellor

The University of Wolverhampton is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Lord Swraj Paul of Marylebone on Thursday 21 August.

The Rt Hon Lord Paul of Marylebone, PC was Chancellor of the University of Wolverhampton since 1999.  Over that time, he has been a prominent and active figurehead for the institution presiding over countless ceremonial occasions and acting as an inspirational Ambassador for the University at home and abroad.

Born in Jalandhar, India in 1931, he was educated at Punjab University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA. Lord Paul arrived in the UK in 1966 and two years later founded Caparo Group, the UK based industrial company with operations in Europe, Asia and North America. He was raised to the Peerage as Baron Paul of Marylebone in August 1996.

Lord Paul holds 15 honorary degrees from across Academe in recognition of his contributions to business, the economy and his social and charitable works. He co-chaired the India-UK Round Table 2000-2005 and was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India in 1983.

In July 2009 he was appointed as a member of the Privy Council, with his full title becoming The Rt Hon Lord Paul of Marylebone PC.

Professor Ebrahim Adia University of Wolverhampton Vice-Chancellor said:

“On behalf of the entire University community I want to express our sadness at the news of Lord Paul’s passing. Lord Paul has left a profound and lasting impact on the University, always supporting and encouraging us to be ambitious and value driven. Lord Paul was deeply committed to the University and a passionate supporter of our social mobility objectives and our aim of creating opportunity for all.  He was a person of great humility, generosity and integrity, and he will be dearly missed”.

Angela Spence, Chair of the University of Wolverhampton Board of Governors, said:

“On behalf of the Board of Governors, I express our profound sadness.  Lord Paul was an inspirational and generous chancellor and a wonderful human being.  He was an inspiration to so many people and his passion for education was always evident.  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". 

As a way of paying our respects, we have set up books of condolence at both our Wolverhampton and Walsall Campuses.