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{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Sudhir Choudhrie
| image =
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| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1949|09}}
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| nationality = Indian
| citizenship = Indian / British
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| alma mater = [[University of Delhi]]
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| spouse = Anita
| parents =
| children = [[Bhanu Choudhrie|Bhanu]] and Dhairya
| website =
}}

'''Sudhir Choudhrie''' (born September 1949) is an Indian-born and London-based businessman with interests in healthcare, aviation, and hospitality.

==Early life==
Sudhir Choudhrie was born in September 1949,<ref name="Companies House">{{cite web|title=Sudhir CHOUDHRIE|url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/officers/q9mD7c0pFlcYIMy4HFTVxEua_Lk/appointments|website=Companies House|access-date=1 November 2022}}</ref> and raised in [[Delhi]] by his mother, after his father’s early death.<ref name="spearswms1">{{cite web|title = Sudhir and Anita Choudhrie on art, cars, philanthropy and undeserved bad press - Spear’s|url = http://www.spearswms.com/blog/sudhir-and-anita-choudhrie-on-art-cars-philanthropy-and-undeserved-bad-press|website = www.spearswms.com|access-date = 2015-12-07|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151208205024/http://www.spearswms.com/blog/sudhir-and-anita-choudhrie-on-art-cars-philanthropy-and-undeserved-bad-press|archive-date = 8 December 2015|df = dmy-all}}</ref> Choudhrie has described his mother as his "role model" in life.<ref name="youtube1">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vP70C8PRS_Y |title=Sudhir Choudhrie of the C&C Alpha Group, Winner at the Asian Business Awards 2013 |publisher=[[YouTube]] |date=2014-03-26 |access-date=2016-11-01}}</ref>

He has a bachelor's degree in Economics from the [[University of Delhi]].<ref>{{cite web|title = Sudhir Choudhrie: Executive Profile & Biography - Businessweek|url = https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=742766&privcapId=93492|website = Businessweek.com|access-date = 2015-12-07}}</ref>

His uncle [[B. K. Kapur]] was the chairman of [[Hindustan Aeronautics Limited]], the Indian state-owned aerospace and defence company, from at least as early as 1982, until 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1982/1982%20-%202759.html?search=hindustan%20aeronautics |title=1982 | 2759 | Flight Archive |website=Flightglobal.com |access-date=2016-11-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Sudhir-Choudhrie-High-flying-arms-dealer-may-finally-be-grounded/articleshow/31300678.cms |title=Sudhir Choudhrie: High flying arms dealer may finally be grounded |website=Timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date=2014-03-03 |access-date=2016-11-01}}</ref>

==Career==
After completing his education, Choudhrie chose not to join his grandfather's Delhi real estate business, and began his own business career buying TV equipment from the UK to sell on to the Indian government to develop the country's growing television network in the 1960s and 70s. His business developed as an exporter of consumer goods including farm machinery, initially particularly focused on the [[Soviet Union]], then India’s largest trading partner.<ref name="spearswms1"/>

Choudhrie founded the Magnum International Trading Company Ltd in 1975, where he focused on export markets.<ref name="bloomberg1">{{cite web|title = Flightbookers Limited: CEO and Executives - Businessweek|url = https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/people.asp?privcapId=93492|website = Businessweek.com|access-date = 2015-12-07}}</ref>

Choudhrie has served as vice chairman of [[Alpha C&C Group]], an holding company for investments he founded over 30 years ago. He was a director of the chartered airline companies Deccan Aviation Ltd (2007–08) and [[Kingfisher Airlines]] (2008-).<ref>{{cite web|title = Sudhir Choudhrie, Alpha G:Corp Development Pvt Ltd: Profile & Biography|url = https://www.bloomberg.com/profiles/people/5174074-sudhir-choudhrie|website = Bloomberg|access-date = 2015-12-07}}</ref> Choudhrie was a non-executive director of [[Ebookers]], a travel website, from 1999 to 2005.<ref name="bloomberg1"/>

From 1993 to 2004, Choudhrie served as Latvia's Honorary Consul General to India.<ref>{{cite web|title = Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cabinet of Ministers' Letters of Recognition awarded to members of Latvia's foreign service in honour of de iure recognition of the Republic of Latvia|url = http://www.mfa.gov.lv/en/news/latest-news/3900-ministry-of-foreign-affairs-and-cabinet-of-ministers-letters-of-recognition-awarded-to-members-of-latvia-s-foreign-service-in-honour-of-de-iure-recognition-of-the-republic-of-latvia|website = www.mfa.gov.lv|access-date = 2015-12-08}}</ref>

In 2013, [[Theresa May]] awarded him the "Asian Business Lifetime Achievement Year Award 2013".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/nri/other-news/NRI-wins-healthcare-business-award-in-2013/articleshow/19170352.cms |title=NRI wins healthcare business award in 2013 |website=Timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date=2013-03-24 |access-date=2016-11-01}}</ref>

In July 2013 the ''[[Daily Telegraph]]'' alleged that Choudhrie had been denied a peerage because of concerns about the treatment of patients by the [[Alpha Hospital Group]]. The company responded by saying "Sudhir Choudhrie does not run or manage Alpha Healthcare or Alpha Hospitals. He retired from being a director of both companies in 2007".<ref>{{cite news|title=Lib Dem donor denied peerage after care home neglect claims|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/liberaldemocrats/10207909/Lib-Dem-donor-denied-peerage-after-care-home-neglect-claims.html|access-date=27 August 2015|publisher=Daily Telegraph|date=28 July 2022}}</ref> In July 2014 [[the Guardian]] published a correction to a similar story, accepting that there was no evidence to suggest that his peerage was blocked because concerns about Alpha.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sudhir Choudhrie: arms dealer, philanthropist – and Lib Dem donor|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/feb/14/sudhir-choudhrie-profile-lib-dem-donor|access-date=27 August 2015|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=February 2022}}</ref>

Choudhrie is thought to have a long-term interest in the defence trade and has been described as "one of India’s key arms dealers".<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/feb/14/sudhir-choudhrie-profile-lib-dem-donor Sudhir Choudhrie: arms dealer, philanthropist – and Lib Dem donor] . ''The Guardian'' (2014-02-14). Retrieved on 2016-10-31.</ref><ref>Bedi, Rahul & Nelseon, Dean (2014-02-14). [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/10640436/Lib-Dem-donor-Sudhir-Choudhrie-dogged-by-Indian-arms-and-corruption-inquiries.html Lib Dem donor Sudhir Choudhrie dogged by Indian arms and corruption inquiries]. ''The Daily Telegraph''. Retrieved on 2016-10-31.</ref><ref>Joseph, Josy (2014-03-03). [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Sudhir-Choudhrie-High-flying-arms-dealer-may-finally-be-grounded/articleshow/31300678.cms Sudhir Choudhrie: High flying arms dealer may finally be grounded]. ''Times of India''. Retrieved on 2016-10-31.</ref> He was allegedly blacklisted by the Indian government due to being suspected of "corrupt or irregular practice", following several investigations into his companies.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-37823554 Rolls-Royce 'made secret payments']. BBC News (2016-10-31.</ref> In February 2014, Choudhrie was detained by the [[Serious Fraud Office (United Kingdom)|Serious Fraud Office]] (SFO) in a bribery investigation into [[Rolls-Royce Holdings]]. He denied any wrongdoing, was never charged and was released on bail without conditions.<ref>{{cite web|title = Indian-born Sudhir Choudhrie, son dropped from bribery probe into Rolls-Royce sales - Sunday Times|url = http://in.reuters.com/article/rolls-royce-britain-sfo-idINKBN0H20JE20140907|website = Reuters India|access-date = 2015-12-07}}</ref> The [[Sunday Times]] reported that the bail was completely lifted in July 2014. It also indicated that Choudhrie was unlikely to be a part of the inquiry any further.<ref>{{cite news|author=David Leppard |url=http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/business/Companies/article1455790.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224050730/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/business/Companies/article1455790.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 February 2015 |title=Two dropped from bribery probe into Rolls-Royce sales |newspaper=[[The Sunday Times]] |date=2014-09-07 |access-date=2016-11-01}}</ref>

===Author===
In 2017 Choudhrie published ''From My Heart: A Tale of Love, Life and Destiny,'' an autobiographical work focusing on his early life, long term heart condition and experience of a heart transplant operation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/sudhir-choudhrie/my-message-of-hope-to-hea_b_14630694.html|title=My Message Of Hope To Heart Patients|website=The Huffington Post|language=en-GB|access-date=2017-02-28}}</ref> The book was a number one international bestseller on Amazon in its first week of release.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/3251367|title=From My Heart by Sudhir Choudhrie Goes #1 on Amazon in 24 Hours - Press Release - Digital Journal|website=www.digitaljournal.com|access-date=2017-02-28}}</ref>

==Philanthropy==
Choudhrie has been a longstanding benefactor of [[Green Templeton College, Oxford|Green Templeton College]] at the [[University of Oxford]], where a Library has been named in his honour. Choudhrie holds an honorary Radcliffe fellowship at the college and has supported the annual GTC Emerging Markets Symposium since it began in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.gtc.ox.ac.uk/index.php/news-and-views/news-articles/1137-green-templeton-college-opens-the-choudhrie-library.html|title = Green Templeton College Opens the Choudhrie Library|access-date = 2015-08-12|website = Green Templeton College}}</ref>

Choudhrie is a benefactor of the [[Columbia University Medical Center]] in [[New York City]], where a professorship in [[Cardiology]] has been established in his name.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://giving.columbia.edu/news/choudhrie-donates-25-million-establish-cardiology-professorship|title = Choudhrie donates 25 million to establish cardiology professorship|date = 1 August 2009|access-date = 12 December 2015|website = Giving to Columbia|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151208233912/https://giving.columbia.edu/news/choudhrie-donates-25-million-establish-cardiology-professorship|archive-date = 8 December 2015|df = dmy-all}}</ref>

The Choudhrie family support several charities. Their UK based Path to Success charity works to promote educational opportunities and provide assistance for disabled people, and to help the homeless.<ref>{{cite web|title = Path to Success - About us|url = http://www.pathtosuccess.org.uk/events.html|website = Pathtosuccess.org.uk|access-date = 2015-12-08}}</ref> Led by Choudhrie's wife Anita, the charity ran a campaign to fund sixty wheelchairs for sixty UK [[National Health Service|NHS]] hospitals in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title = Nick Clegg's wife Miriam backs bribery case donor's charity|url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/liberaldemocrats/10641210/Nick-Cleggs-wife-Miriam-backs-bribery-case-donors-charity.html|website = Telegraph.co.uk|access-date = 2015-12-08}}</ref> It supports the Amar Jyoti Trust in India providing educational, sporting and cultural activities for disabled and able bodied children.<ref>{{cite web|title = Path to Success - About us|url = http://www.pathtosuccess.org.uk/Our_path_so_far.html|website = Pathtosuccess.org.uk|access-date = 2015-12-08}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Choudhrie is married to Anita and they have two sons, [[Bhanu Choudhrie|Bhanu]] and Dhairya. The family lives in London.<ref name="easterneye1"/>

Choudhrie suffered from the same genetic heart condition that led to the early death of his brother Rajiv in 1998. Following years of ill health, in 1999 Choudhrie's heart also failed and he underwent an emergency [[Heart transplantation|heart transplant]] operation at [[Columbia University Medical Center|Columbia University Medical Centre]] in New York.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.easterneye.eu/news/detail/heart-to-heart-sudhir-choudrie-discusses-life-after-a-transplant|title=Heart to heart: Sudhir Choudrie discusses life after a transplant|website=www.easterneye.eu|language=en|access-date=2017-02-21}}</ref> The surgeon was [[Mehmet Oz|Dr Mehmet Oz]] who has talked about the operation on his [[The Dr Oz Show]]. Choudhrie is now one of the longest surviving heart transplant recipients in the world and has described surviving the operation as his "greatest achievement".<ref name="youtube1"/><ref name="Oz">{{Cite web |title=Sudhir Choudhrie to be honored by Dr. Mehmet Oz at HealthCorps gala in New York |url=http://www.newsindiatimes.com/sudhir-choudhrie-to-be-honored-by-dr-mehmet-oz-at-healthcorps-gala-in-new-york/}}</ref>

The wealth of the Choudhrie family is estimated at US$2 billion.<ref>Head, Andrew (2016-10-31). [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-37823559 The billionaire arms dealer welcomed by the British establishment]. BBC News. Retrieved on -10-31.</ref>

===Arts===
Choudhrie enjoys restoring [[vintage car]]s and has one of the finest private collections in India.<ref name="spearswms1"/>

Choudhrie and his wife Anita collect [[Indian art]], particularly [[M. F. Husain]] ("the Picasso of India").<ref name="spearswms1"/> They founded the Stellar International Art Foundation in 2008, which has collected over 600 pieces, including many by Husain. The Foundation held an exhibition of Husain's art in London in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title = The journey of a legend: Shapero Rare Books opens a tribute to MF Husain|url = http://artdaily.com/news/79022/The-journey-of-a-legend--Shapero-Rare-Books-opens-a-tribute-to-MF-Husain#.VmXMJLiyNBc|website = artdaily.com|access-date = 2015-12-07}}</ref> Choudhrie owns works by [[Damien Hirst|Damian Hirst]], [[Andy Warhol]] and [[Anish Kapoor]].<ref name="easterneye1">{{cite web|title = Choudhrie exhibition honours MF Husain|url = http://www.easterneye.eu/features/features-news/Choudhrie+exhibition+honours+MF+Husain/5049|website=[[Easterneye.eu]]|access-date = 2015-12-07}}</ref>

===Politics===
Choudhrie is a long term backer of the UK [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]] and has supported the party financially since 2004, making over £1.5million in donations (personal and company).<ref>{{cite web|title = Search - The Electoral Commission|url = http://search.electoralcommission.org.uk/?currentPage=1&rows=10&query=sudhir%2520choudhrie&sort=AcceptedDate&order=desc&tab=1&et=pp&et=ppm&et=tp&et=perpar&et=rd&prePoll=false&postPoll=true|website = search.electoralcommission.org.uk|access-date = 2015-12-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title = Search - The Electoral Commission|url = http://search.electoralcommission.org.uk/?currentPage=1&rows=30&query=alpha&sort=AcceptedDate&order=desc&tab=1&et=pp&et=ppm&et=tp&et=perpar&et=rd&prePoll=false&postPoll=true|website = search.electoralcommission.org.uk|access-date = 2015-12-07}}</ref>

In 2015 Liberal Democrat leader [[Tim Farron]] appointed Choudhrie as his adviser on India, a role involving helping the party develop its relationship with the [[British Indian|British-Indian]] community and providing advice on Britain's foreign and business relationships with India.<ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.asianexpress.co.uk/2015/11/choudhrie-commits-to-lib-dems/|title = Choudhrie commits to Lib Dems|date = 2015-11-11|newspaper =Asian Express|access-date = 2015-07-12}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Choudhrie, Sudhir}}
[[Category:1949 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian aviation businesspeople]]
[[Category:Indian hoteliers]]
[[Category:Arms traders]]
[[Category:Indian expatriates in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Defence industry of India]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Delhi]]
[[Category:Car collectors]]

Sudhir Choudhrie - Revision history

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