About
Hi, I’m Lord Karan Bilimoria.
I am an entrepreneur, cross-bench peer in the House…
I am an entrepreneur, cross-bench peer in the House…
Articles by Lord Karan
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Lord Karan Bilimoria shared thisCobra Beer began because of a frustration I had whenever I ate Indian food in Britain. I loved curry, but I never enjoyed the beer that came with it, as most lagers felt far too gassy and most ales tasted too bitter when paired with food. I kept thinking there had to be something better, a beer with the refreshment of a lager and the smoothness of an ale, while being less gassy, more balanced, and designed to complement Indian food rather than overpower it. That simple thought became an obsession. In 1990, we brewed the very first batch of Cobra Beer in Bangalore, shipped it to Britain, and stored it in our small flat on Fulham Palace Road in London. We had no investors backing us, no big marketing campaign behind us, and no certainty that any of this would work. We were two founders with £20,000 of debt and a battered old Citroën 2CV called Albert, which we had bought for £295. We drove from restaurant to restaurant carrying crates ourselves, asking owners to try a beer they had never heard of before and persuading them to take a chance on something completely new. Some restaurant owners politely refused, while others would say: “Leave a few cases with us and let’s see how it goes.” Those moments meant everything to us. Because when you are building something from nothing, every customer matters, and every small breakthrough gives you the belief and determination to keep moving forward. Even today, when I walk into restaurants around the world and see Cobra Beer on the menu, I still think back to those early years, the long drives, the heavy boxes, the uncertainty, and the belief that kept us going. Cobra Beer began with a problem worth solving and the determination to keep knocking on doors until someone finally opened one. That lesson has stayed with me throughout my life and career. What problem do you want to solve?
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Lord Karan Bilimoria shared thisAt the University of Birmingham in the 1950s, my mother was the only girl who wore a sari every day. Each weekend, she would carefully wash and iron seven saris ready for the week ahead. She arrived in Britain from India at the age of 19 to study at the University of Birmingham, travelling alone across the world at a time when very few young Indian women did such a thing. And yet she never felt she had to leave her identity behind in order to belong. As time went on, other international students at the university became fascinated by the saris she wore. Eventually, before one university ball, several students asked her to dress them in saris too. She ended up dressing 10 girls in saris before they all went out together to be photographed on the lawns outside University House. Someone jokingly remarked: “One of you in a sari is enough, but 10 of you?” I have always loved that story. Years later, when I had the privilege of serving as Chancellor of the University of Birmingham, it made me proud to see how much universities and society had evolved. Students from every background, culture, faith, and nationality were able to express themselves openly and confidently, whether through what they wore, the traditions they celebrated, or simply by being fully themselves. That is one of the great strengths of Britain at its best. My mother embraced Britain wholeheartedly. She loved her years at Birmingham, immersed herself in her subjects, History of Art and English literature, travelled to Stratford-upon-Avon to watch Shakespeare performances, and built friendships with students from around the world. She was elected President of her hall of residence, University House, now part of the University of Birmingham Business School. But she also remained deeply proud of where she came from. That balance stayed with me growing up. You do not have to lose your identity in order to integrate, contribute, and succeed. As my father General Bilimoria told me when I left India to study in the UK: “Wherever you live in the world, integrate with the community you are living in to the best of your ability, but never ever forget your roots.”
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Lord Karan Bilimoria shared thisGolf has always been a part of my life. My late father, General Bilimoria, loved the game, and wherever he was posted during his army career, he would find a way to play and encourage others to take up the sport; the golfers in the garrisons he was posted to would always rejoice at the news of my father’s arrival! I started playing golf at the age of eleven and, although my own golf is erratic because I have never played regularly, my love for the game has never left me. Which is why it was so wonderful to see Aaron Rai win the PGA Championship. Aaron became the first Englishman in more than a century to win the PGA Championship, producing an extraordinary final round that included a remarkable birdie putt of almost 70 feet on the 17th hole to seal the victory. But beyond the golf itself, it is the person and the journey behind it that make Aaron’s story so inspiring. Aaron grew up in Wolverhampton in a hardworking British Indian family and began playing golf as a young child. His father, Amrik Rai, had never played golf himself, yet devoted himself completely to helping Aaron in the early years and learned the game alongside his son. He made enormous sacrifices to support Aaron’s dream, even leaving his job to focus on his development, while Aaron’s mother worked long hours to support the family. Today, Aaron is known around the world for his golf and the values he carries. He still wears two gloves, something that started because of the freezing weather while practising in England as a child. He still keeps covers on his irons today, something his father encouraged from a young age after carefully cleaning and protecting his clubs following practice sessions. Even after becoming a major champion, one of the first things he spoke about was going for Chipotle with his wife, Gaurika Bishnoi, who is herself a professional golfer from India. Aaron is a wonderful example of British Indians succeeding not just in Britain, but on the world stage, through hard work, discipline, humility, and strong values. And I know so many people in our community, including my dear friend Shabir Randeree CBE, who has supported Aaron’s journey for years, will have felt incredibly proud watching him lift that trophy. His achievement was recognised across Britain, with congratulations coming from Prime Minister Keir Starmer and members of the Royal Family. Well done and thank you Aaron, you have inspired a generation!
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Lord Karan Bilimoria shared thisThis week, I am in Los Angeles as part of Greater Together LA, the largest ever UK trade and investment delegation to the United States. More than 250 leaders from business, technology, culture, education and the creative industries have come together to strengthen one of the UK’s most important partnerships. The UK and the US already share a trading relationship worth over $437 billion, with around $1.5 trillion invested in each other’s economies, supporting millions of jobs on both sides of the Atlantic. The theme of Greater Together LA is “Unexpected Connections”. Throughout my life, I have seen how some of the most important opportunities, partnerships and ideas come from bringing together people from different sectors, industries and backgrounds. Los Angeles is the perfect setting for these conversations as it is a city built on ambition, creativity and optimism. I am looking forward to meeting new people, exchanging ideas and helping strengthen the relationship between our two countries that have achieved so much together. #GreaterTogether
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Lord Karan Bilimoria shared thisMy grandfather gave up his career at its peak. He chose principle over position. My grandfather, Brigadier N. D. Bilimoria, was someone I never heard a bad word said about, and throughout his life, he commanded admiration, respect, and trust from everyone who knew him. People looked up to him not because of his rank or position, but because he was unwavering and unshakable in doing what he believed was right. He was one of the few Indians to have been commissioned as an officer at the British Military Academy, Sandhurst, in between World Wars I and II. At one stage in his career, he had been promoted to Major General and was appointed as Military Secretary to Rajendra Prasad, a highly prestigious role. His uniforms had been made, the family had packed up all their belongings, and even the luggage had been labelled “Major General N. D. Bilimoria” in preparation for the move to Delhi. Everything was ready. At one of his farewell gatherings, just before they were due to leave, a message came through informing him that the posting had been cancelled and that the position had instead been promised to someone else by Jawaharlal Nehru. My grandfather was deeply troubled by this, not because he had lost the position, but because of the principle behind how the decision had been made. In that moment, he made a choice. He resigned from the army. He could have accepted another senior posting, and he could have continued his career at the highest level, but for him, principle came first. That was my grandfather. These moments stay with me because they remind me that integrity is something you live, especially when you have everything to lose and still choose to stand by what is right. In business and in life, integrity is everything, and there will be moments when doing the right thing is also the hardest choice. Have you ever faced a decision like that, where you knew what was right, but it came at a cost?
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Lord Karan Bilimoria shared thisLeave the world a better place than you found it. On Sunday, I had the privilege of speaking at the screening of Mobed: The Parsi Priest at the Zoroastrian Centre in Harrow, as Patron of the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe, the oldest Asian faith-based organisation in the UK. The film follows young students at the Dadar Athornan Institute in Mumbai, the last functioning Zoroastrian priestly school of its kind in India, where children dedicate themselves to preserving ancient prayers, rituals, and the Avestan language, originating 3,500 years ago! One ritual which I discussed was how water is used. Water is drawn from a well, prayed over for days during the Yasna ceremony, spiritually consecrated, and then returned into the same well. The symbolism is incredibly powerful. The idea that we should not simply take from the world around us, but return something better than what we received. In Zoroastrianism, water and nature are both treated as sacred, and human beings are taught to act as guardians rather than consumers. The ceremony reflects a belief that through good thoughts, good words, and good deeds, we have a responsibility to strengthen the world around us, not diminish it. As a proud Zoroastrian Parsi, Patron of the community, and representative of the community in the House of Lords, I found it deeply moving. It was also wonderful to see 250 people gathered together to celebrate and preserve a heritage that has contributed so much to India, the United Kingdom, and the world. It left us with the question: Are we leaving the world and the people around us in a better state than we found them?
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Lord Karan Bilimoria shared thisTHE INDIA GROWTH STORY India’s story today is about confidence, execution, and global ambition. Last week, I had the honour and privilege to attend the Milken Institute Global Conference in LA, in my role as Senior Fellow for the first time. It was an extraordinary gathering of some of the brightest minds and most influential leaders from across the world. The conversations, energy, and depth of engagement with fellow industry leaders and peers made it a truly unforgettable experience. A heartfelt thank you to the incredible team who made everything run seamlessly and looked after us so wonderfully throughout: Simon, Petra, Richard, Laura, Phoebe, Anar, Teresa, Noa, Nicoly, and everyone else involved. Your warmth, professionalism, and dedication was deeply felt throughout, and we are very grateful to every one of you. At the conference, i spoke four times including moderating a panel on India Ahead: Growth, Investment, and Global Ambition alongside Ajay Piramal, Suneeta Reddy, Dr. Vivek Lall and Haigreve Khaitan. I also had the opportunity to speak on another fascinating session focused on the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor ( IMEC ), one of the most ambitious infrastructure and trade connectivity projects of our generation, launched when India hosted the G20 in 20243, linking India, the Middle East, and Europe through ports, rail, energy, logistics, and digital infrastructure. Both discussions reflected how India is increasingly at the centre of the global economic conversation. During the discussions, we explored India’s rise in advanced manufacturing, healthcare, aerospace, technology, AI, digital infrastructure, and entrepreneurship. We discussed the scale of financial inclusion and digital payments, where hundreds of millions of people have entered the formal banking system in recent years. We also looked at healthcare innovation at scale, where world-class treatment can be delivered at a fraction of global costs. And throughout both sessions, there was a clear recognition of India’s growing role as both an economic and geopolitical force, building stronger partnerships around the world through trade, investment, education, technology, infrastructure, and defence. India has scale, talent, military strength, technological capability, entrepreneurial energy, and one of the youngest populations in the world. But it also has thousands of years of civilisation, democracy, culture, resilience, and diversity. #MIGlobal
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Lord Karan Bilimoria shared thisVery excited to be speaking at the Cambridge India Business Dialogue on the 30th May. Looking forward to discussing the future of business and collaboration between the UK and India as the partnership continues to grow stronger. You can register and see the full schedule of the event here: https://lnkd.in/ePAgu2m5Lord Karan Bilimoria shared thisWe’re delighted to welcome our next speaker Lord Karan Bilimoria Lord Bilimoria brings a unique perspective on the UK–India economic partnership, shaped by decades of building and scaling a British–Indian business. At Cambridge Union, he will share insights on strategic pathways ahead for UK–India collaboration, spanning trade, investment, and the evolving role of enterprise in strengthening this corridor. A key voice in the dialogue as we bring together leaders shaping the future of business and policy across both nations. Event details: • 📅 30 May 2026 • 📍 Cambridge Union • 🎟 Early Bird Student + University Staff: £15 • 🎟 Early Bird Delegate: £25 • ☕ Lunch and tea/coffee included Register using this link and discover other confirmed speakers and full details: https://lnkd.in/ekrrBemj Look forward to seeing you in Cambridge. Jaideep Prabhu Marvin Fernandes Perses Bilimoria Santosh Huralikoppi Suyash Bhatt Ashis Mittal Aaryani Dogra Ujjwal Pandey Siddharth Mukne Stewart Langdon Gishan Dissanaike Shipra J. Ashrika Gupta Vishisht Bais Pallavi Huralikoppi Dr. Ketan Deshpande ICICI Bank ICICI Bank UK Global Education Lab Friends Union For Energising Lives (FUEL) National Indian Students and Alumni Union UK OptiSpend LeapFrog Investments Startup Policy Forum All India Management Association (AIMA) Fintech Association for Consumer Empowerment (FACE) High Commission of India in London ACS Foundation #CambridgeIndia #BusinessDialogue #Leadership #Innovation #IndiaUK #Networking #Cambridge
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Lord Karan Bilimoria shared thisOur fathers served together decades ago. Now, their sons have had the privilege of doing the same. Recently, the India All Party Parliamentary Group, led by myself and my Co-Chair Baggy Shanker MP and President Baroness Sandy Verma, convened a cross-party meeting of parliamentarians from the House of Lords and House of Commons, in the House of Lords, to bid farewell to His Excellency Vikram Doraiswami, India’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, from 2022 to 2026. There was an exceptional turnout. Parliamentarians from across the political spectrum spoke in praise of the High Commissioner and all that he has done to strengthen UK–India relations during a very challenging geopolitical time. Vikram was the High Commissioner during whose tenure the UK–India Free Trade Agreement was signed in 2025. Negotiations for that agreement began in January 2022, when I was President of the CBI (Confederation of British Industry), and it was deeply satisfying to see it completed while I am serving as Chair of the ICC United Kingdom. This agreement reflects the growing partnership between the world’s fifth and sixth largest economies, with India as the fastest growing major economy in the world, and a shared ambition to double bilateral trade to over 100 billion dollars by 2030. Today, as well as trade in goods and services and bilateral investment, the UK and India are working ever more closely as trusted partners in many areas, such as security, defence, and education, with leading British universities opening campuses in India. For me, this was also personal. Vikram’s father, an Air Force officer, was the Air Force Station commander, serving alongside my late father in the early 1980s in northeast India, when my father as a Major General at the time was commanding a mountain division. Decades later, the two sons have had the privilege of serving together and becoming close friends. We shall miss Vikram. He is bright, thoughtful, and one of the finest diplomats you could find anywhere in the world. He has led an outstanding team at the Indian High Commission and has taken UK–India relations to new heights. I have no doubt he will excel in his next role as India’s ambassador to China. And, he leaves behind a strong foundation for his successor, His Excellency P. Kumaran, for this relationship to continue to grow.
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Thank you very much
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Byron Dixon OBE Thank you for sharing that story, have to do what you need to do!!
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Lord Karan Bilimoria liked thisAlways the same key to success: belief. So why is it so rare? Simple: because we all know it’s the answer; we just don’t know how to find it. I have spent the last 34 years helping people all over the world in all walks of life do exactly that, with spectacular results. It has been the best journey I could ever have imagined and still is. If you are searching, then you might just be at the end of the beginning…..
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Lord Karan Bilimoria liked thisIf Cobra Beer can wash down a spicy meal without completely extinguishing the flavour / fire, it has done its job... :-)
Experience & Education
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International Chamber of Commerce
View Lord Karan’s full experience
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Publications
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Against the Grain
Capstone, London
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Bottled for Business
Capstone, London
Honors & Awards
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Honorary Doctorate
University of Westminster
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Honorary Doctorate
University of East Anglia
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Honorary Doctorate
York St John University
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International Indian of the Year Award
India Link International
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Honorary Doctorate
University of Birmingham
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Honorary Doctorate
University of Exeter
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Global Indian
Powerbrands Hall of Fame
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Honorary Doctorate
University of West London (Previously Thames Valley University)
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Honorary Doctor of Science
Cranfield University
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2007 Entrepreneur Alumnus of the Year
Cranfield School of Management
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Good Directors Award: Leadership
Institute of Directors, Director Magazine
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Pravasi Bharatiya Samman
Presented by the Preisdent of India at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
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Honorary Doctor of Business Administration
London Metropolitan University
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Honorary Award
Bangladesh Caterers' Association
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Honorary Fellow
Sidney Sussex College, University of Cambridge
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Special Recognition Award
UKTI India Business Awards
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Honorary Doctor of the University
Staffordshire University
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Man of the Year
Drinks Business Awards
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Honorary Doctor of Letters
Heriot-Watt University
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Indo-British Partnership Award
Non-Resident Indian Institute
This was the Inaugural award for the institution
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Honorary Doctor of Business
Brunel University
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Outstanding Achievement Award
Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
The award was presented by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales
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Best Business Leader (25 -100 employees),
Sage Business Awards 2004, in partnership with the Daily Telegraph
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Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire
Her Majesty the Queen's Birthday Honours List 2004
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Honorary Life Fellow
Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce
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Entrepreneur of the Year (Consumer Products) 2003,
Ernst and Young
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Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2003
London Chamber of Commerce and Industry
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Excellence Award 2003
Non Resident Indian (NRI) Institute
Presented by Shri I.K Gujaral, former Prime Minister of India
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Asian of the Year 2002
Presneted by the then Right Honourale David Blunkett MP, Home Secretary
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Millenium Honour
Non Resident Indian Institute
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Business Person of the Year 2004
London Chamber of Commerce and Industry
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Entrepreneur of the Year 2004
National Business Awards, London and South East of England
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Pride of India Award 2004
Non Resisent Indian (NRI) Institute
Presented by HE Sir Michael Arthur, British High Commissioner to India
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RSA Albert Medal 2004
The Royal Society for the Encouragement of the Arts, Manufactures and Commerce
Presented by His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, President of the RSA
Languages
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French
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Hindi
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English
Native or bilingual proficiency
Organizations
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Advisory Board, Association of Malaysian Economics Undergraduates (AMEU)
Member
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All Party Parliamentary Group on General Aviation
Member
- PresentAll party group for members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords
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British-American Parliamentary Group
Member
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All-Party Parliamentary Group on International Students
Co-chair
- PresentHouse of Commons and House of Lords
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All-Party Parliamentary Group on Manufacturing
Vice Chair
- PresentHouse of Commons and House of Lords
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All-Party Parliamentary Group on Economy of West Midlands
Member
- PresentHouse of Commons and House of Lords
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All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Maldives
Member
- PresentHouse of Commons and House of Lords
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Manufacturing Commission
Chairman
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All-Party Parliamentary Group on Armed Forces
Member
- PresentHouse of Commons and House of Lords
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All-Party Parliamentary Group on Beer
Vice Chair
- PresentHouse of Commons and House of Lords
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All-Party Parliamentary Group on Management
Management
- PresentHouse of Commons and House of Lords
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All-Party Parliamentary Group on South Africa
Member
- PresentHouse of Commons and House of Lords
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All-Party Parliamentary Group on Students
Member
- PresentHouse of Commons and House of Lords
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All-Party Parliamentary Group on Trade and Investment
Vice Chair
- PresentHouse of Commons and House of Lords
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Guild of Entrepreneurs
Freeman
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All-Party Parliamentary Group on the British Curry and Catering Industry
Treasurer
- PresentHouse of Commons and House of Lords
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Indo-British All-Party Parliamentary Group
Vice Chair
- PresentHouse of Commons and House of Lords
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The Zoroastrian All-Party Parliamentary Group
Founding Chairman
- PresentHouse of Commons and Lords
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Chief Executives Organisation
Member
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World Presidents' Organisation
Members
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Worshipful Company of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
Liveryman
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Worshipful Company of Brewers
Liveryman
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Worshipful Company of Drapers
Liveryman
- PresentFreedom of the City of London in the Company of Drapers
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BUPA
Association Member
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Friends of Bedfont Lakes Country Park
Honorary Patron
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Chartered Management Institute
Companion
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Cambridge University Polo Team
Member and Indian Tour Captain
- PresentAchieved Half Blue
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Young Presidents' Organisation
Member and former Chairman
-Member from 2000 to 2012. Chairman from 2004 to 2005
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London Business School Foundation for Entrepreneurial Management Enterprise
Member
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Cranfield Management Association
Honorary Member
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Fellow
Institute of Directors
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Young Presidents' Organisation International Education Committee
Member
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St Andrew's Cricket Club
Patron
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The Carlton Club
Member
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The Dehli Gymnkhana Club
Member
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The Delhi Golf Club
Member
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The Guards' Polo Club
Member
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The Hawk's Club, Cambridge
Member
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The Kelvin Grove Club, Cape Town
Member
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The Secunderabad Club
Member
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The University Pitt Club, Cambridge
Member
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