Beer Baron Bilimoria

Cobra Beer founder and chief executive Karan Bilimoria has become the first Zoroastrian member of Britain’s House of Lords, exults an announcement from the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE). He is among the seven new lords created by Queen Elizabeth II.

Son of Yasmin and the late Lt Gen Faridoon Bilimoria, the ruggedly handsome Karan is married to Heather (née Walker), a South African of Scottish descent. A Cambridge Blue father of three, qualified lawyer and accountant, Bilimoria is an entrepreneur whose business motto is "To aspire and achieve against all odds.” When he decided to launch Cobra, his family had many reservations about this direct challenge to entrenched beer brands several generations old. Not only did Cobra succeed wildly, the stable added General Bilimoria wines, in all their many flavors, to British tables.

Bilimoria: lord of the realm

But business success is for sharing, believes Bilimoria, generously supporting charities and national causes. "Karan has never been too busy to participate in the activities of our Anjuman. His kind and generous nature have always been to the fore in all his dealings with the community. Despite his high public profile, Karan has always made time for social and community work,” notes former ZTFE president Dorab Mistry. He is among those whose advice the British government has sought to retrain the redundant workforce for gainful employment. The letters DL after his name signify that he is a deputy lieutenant – every county has a Lord Lieutenant who represents the Queen, gives away awards on her behalf, accompanies the royal family on business visits.

The founding chairman of the London chapter of the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce, Bilimoria has been co-chair of the India-UK business initiative, feted in both countries.