Conservative Friends of India (CF India), the largest group connecting the Conservative Party with the British Indian community, has appointed Rt Hon Sir Oliver Dowden CBE MP and Koolesh Shah as its new Co-Chairs. The announcement was made at a prestigious Summer Reception on 11 June 2025 at St. James’ Court, A Taj Hotel, London.
The keynote address was delivered by former Prime Minister, The Rt Hon Lord David Cameron, with senior Conservatives in attendance, including Party Chairman Nigel Huddleston MP, MPs Shivani Raja and Gagan Mohindra, Lord Kulveer Ranger, and Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami.
Tributes were paid to outgoing Co-Chairs Reena Ranger OBE and Ameet Jogia MBE for their five years of leadership, as well as to CF India founder, Lord Dolar Popat.
Since its inception, Conservative Friends of India has played a key role in engaging the British Indian community and strengthening UK–India relations.
Lord Cameron praised the vital role of British Indians in the UK, highlighting their entrepreneurial spirit, strong family values, and resilience. He reaffirmed the community’s importance to Britain’s social and economic success and the key role Conservative Friends of India plays in building these ties.
In his keynote, Koolesh Shah, founder of the London Town Group, celebrated the British Indian community’s achievements across business, politics, and public service. He emphasised their unique ability to balance cultural identity with British values, calling this a moment to amplify their voices and strengthen UK–India relations.
Mr Shah also acknowledged CF India's founding under Lord Cameron and paid tribute to Lord Dolar Popat’s visionary leadership.
Rt Hon Sir Oliver Dowden CBE MP, Deputy Prime Minister and MP for Hertsmere, brings a wealth of government experience and is a strong advocate for enterprise, cohesion, and the British Indian community.
Koolesh Shah, founder of the London Town Group, brings over 35 years of entrepreneurial and philanthropic leadership. His vision for CF India centres on inclusion, opportunity, and strengthening UK–India ties in trade, innovation, climate action, and security.
The new Co-Chairs outlined three key priorities for CF India: strengthening ties between the Conservative Party and the British Indian community, championing emerging British Indian leaders, and deepening UK–India relations across trade, innovation, culture, and global challenges.
Sir Oliver Dowden said, “It is a privilege to serve as Co-Chair of Conservative Friends of India. The British Indian community is vital to the social, cultural, and economic fabric of our nation, and we must ensure its voice is heard and represented.”
