Asian Rich List is poetic rebuke to racist rhetoric

When he was young, Surinder Arora took evening jobs to make ends meet. One of those stints was as a waiter at the Renaissance Hotel at Heathrow. Today, he owns the hotel and a host of others at airports and elsewhere.

- CHRIS BLACKHURST

One of his current projects is the redevelopment of Luton Hoo as a luxury golf and health spa. Another, with the support of airlines and advice from Bechtel, the giant US construction and engineering company, is to build the third runway at Heathrow.

Remarkable as it is, Arora's story typifies the members of this year's Asian Rich List. He is ranked 14th, with a fortune estimated at £1.4bn. While they are all different, what characterises many is a strong work ethic, coupled with relentless drive and determination to succeed. Published by Eastern Eye, the survey provides a fascinating insight into an increasingly powerful and significant cohort of UK society, responsible for generating billions of pounds in investment, donating heavily to charities and creating tens of thousands of jobs.

The combined wealth of the 101 richest British Asians in the country is put at £126.26bn, an increase of £6.22bn from a year ago. The number of billionaires has risen from 16 to 17, while there are several hovering outside this top level.

Arora is representative for another reason. Now 66, he is gradually handing over the reins of the family empire to his son, Sanjay. Says Eastern Eye: "If there is a trend, it is that in many families, the second or, in some cases, the third generation, are either taking over or have already done so."

The first generation was schooled in what Gopi Hinduja, who heads the number one Hinduja dynasty with £34.5bn, likes to call UOL - the university of life. Their children and grandchildren have been educated at the best schools and universities in Britain and America.