London: Leading NRI entrepreneur Karan Faridoon Bilimoria, founder and chief executive of Cobra Beer, on Monday became the first Parsi member of the House of Lords.
Hyderabad-born Bilimoria and another NRI Professor Kamlesh Patel, an academic and Government advisor on mental health, drugs and ethnicity, are among the seven new members appointed recently on the recommendation of the Appointments Commission of the House of Lords.
The commission's remit is to find people of distinction who bring authority and expertise to the House of Lords.
Forty-four-year-old Lord Bilimoria, who is also the Chancellor of Thames Valley University, said "It's a great privilege, and I am truly humbled."
As one of the 10 youngest members of the 714-member House, Lord Bilimoria said he would focus on entrepreneurship, enterprise, trade, investment and the emerging India story.
"India's importance will see a sustained increase in the decades to come," said Lord Bilimoria, who is the UK Chairman of the Indo-British Partnership.
Lord Bilimoria follows in the footsteps of three other illustrious Parsis who have served in the British Parliament - though all of them were elected to the House of Commons.
Dadabhai Naoroji was the first Indian to be elected to the House of Commons, winning on a Liberal Democrats ticket and serving a four-year-term from 1892.
Mancherjee Bhownagree was the second Indian and Asian to be elected to the House of Commons, winning from the Bethnal Green constituency on a Conservative Party ticket.
A Chartered Accountant by qualification, Bilimoria has won several prestigious awards for his outstanding performance as a pioneering entrepreneur.
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