Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

British Indian, industry champion Lord Bhattacharyya passes away

BRITISH-INDIAN engineer, educator, and government advisor Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya - who helped to save Jaguar Land Rover from 2008 global recession - passed away today (1).

He was aged 78.


Lord Bhattacharyya breathed his last at home after suffering from a short illness.

India-born Lord Bhattacharyya was a high-profile figure in the West Midlands business and higher education community.

He founded the research institute, Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), at the University of Warwick in 1980s; it now has a global reputation for its collaborative approach by combining educational excellence with practical relevance to industry.

Lord Bhattacharyya was the first professor of manufacturing in the UK and was a huge champion for the industry sector.

He was also a regular commentator on issues affecting the industry and was best known for lending his support to broker the 2008 deal for the Indian business giant Tata to acquire JLR from Ford as it teetered on the edge of collapsing.

Lord Bhattacharyyawas was also worked in the acquisition of Corus to form Tata Steel Europe.

Prof Dr Ralf Speth, chief executive officer, Jaguar Land Rover said: "It is with great sadness that we have been informed of the passing of Professor Lord Bhattacharyya.

“He was an exceptional mentor to many people at Jaguar Land Rover and will be greatly missed. Through his clear vision, strong sense of purpose and his warm charismatic personality, he energised people of all ages and backgrounds and created momentum for creativity and positive change.”

Sir David Normington, chairman of council and pro-chancellor of University of Warwick, said: "Long before I joined the University of Warwick Council, I knew of Professor Lord Bhattacharyya as an adviser to successive prime ministers and secretaries of state and a tireless advocate for UK manufacturing industry.”

More For You

Kolhapuri sandal sales surge in India post Prada controversy

Customers shop for 'Kolhapuri' sandals, an Indian ethnic footwear, at a store in New Delhi, India, June 27, 2025. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi

Kolhapuri sandal sales surge in India post Prada controversy

INDIAN footwear sellers and artisans are tapping into nationalist pride stoked by the Prada 'sandal scandal' in a bid to boost sales of ethnic slippers with history dating back to the 12th century, raising hopes of reviving a struggling craft.

Sales are surging over the past week for the 'Kolhapuri' sandals that have garnered global attention after Prada sparked a controversy by showcasing similar designs in Milan, without initially crediting the footwear's origins.

Keep ReadingShow less
UK business district
The Canary Wharf business district including global financial institutions in London.
Getty Images

Economy grew 0.7 per cent in Q1 2025, fastest in a year

THE UK economy expanded at its fastest pace in a year during the first quarter of 2025, driven by a rise in home purchases ahead of a tax deadline and higher manufacturing output before the introduction of new US import tariffs.

Gross domestic product rose by 0.7 per cent in the January-to-March period, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said, confirming its earlier estimate. This was the strongest quarterly growth since the first quarter of 2024.

Keep ReadingShow less
modi-trump-getty
Trump shakes hands with Modi during a joint press conference at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on February 25, 2020. (Photo: Getty Images)
Getty Images

Key issues in India, US trade talks

TRADE talks between India and the US have hit a roadblock over disagreements on duties for auto components, steel and farm goods, Indian government sources said to Reuters, dashing hopes of reaching an interim deal ahead of president Donald Trump's July 9 deadline to impose reciprocal tariffs.

Here are the key issues at play:

Keep ReadingShow less
Anil Agarwal

Vedanta Resources, which is based in the UK and owned by Indian billionaire Anil Agarwal, has been working on reducing its debt. (Photo credit: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Anil Agarwal’s Vedanta Resources signs £438 million refinancing deal

VEDANTA LTD said on Thursday that its parent company, Vedanta Resources, has signed a loan facility agreement worth up to £438 million with international banks to refinance existing debt.

The refinancing move, where old loans are replaced by new ones, often at better terms like lower interest rates, has led ratings agencies such as S&P Global Ratings and Moody's to upgrade their outlook on the company this year.

Keep ReadingShow less
Trump-Getty

Trump said that while deals are being made with some countries, others may face tariffs.

Getty Images

Trump says major trade deal with India may be finalised soon

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump on Friday said a "very big" trade deal could be finalised with India, suggesting significant movement in the ongoing negotiations between the two countries.

“We are having some great deals. We have one coming up, maybe with India. Very big one. Where we're going to open up India," Trump said at the “Big Beautiful Bill” event at the White House.

Keep ReadingShow less