Koolesh Shah is not just a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist, he’s a prominent voice for British Indians at the intersection of business, community service, and political engagement.
The award-winning hotelier, who founded the London Town Group in 1988, has built a multimillion-pound enterprise spanning real estate, hospitality, energy, and technology. Beyond boardrooms, Shah is a committed philanthropist and social advocate.
Now, Shah takes on a new mantle: co-chair of Conservative Friends (CF) of India, appointed alongside former Deputy Prime Minister Sir Oliver Dowden and spoke to Asian Voice about his new position.
1. What are your key priorities and vision for CF India in your new capacity as Co-Chair of Conservative Friends of India? How do you intend to promote better representation of British Indians in UK political leadership and policymaking circles?
As Co-Chair of Conservative Friends of India, my vision is centred on deepening engagement, broadening representation, and ensuring that the core values held by British Indians—enterprise, family, education, and service—are meaningfully reflected in UK politics. I believe these values align closely with the Conservative Party’s principles, and together, they provide a strong foundation for community involvement and influence.
Our priorities include nurturing the next generation of British Indian leaders by providing mentorship, resources, and pathways into public life. We want to remove barriers to political participation by creating more accessible networks, hosting leadership development programmes, and encouraging young people from our community to take active roles in local councils, Parliament, and policymaking bodies.
Furthermore, we will foster ongoing dialogue between British Indians and policymakers, ensuring that community perspectives inform legislation and national strategies. This will involve regular forums, roundtables, and engagement events designed to build trust and understanding. Ultimately, we aspire for a British Indian presence in political leadership that is proportionate to our community’s contributions and aspirations—a representation that strengthens UK democracy and enriches policymaking with diverse insights.
2. What unique strengths does Sir Oliver Dowden bring to the CF India leadership alongside you, and how do your different backgrounds complement each other? How will the two of you build on the momentum made during Ameet Jogia and Reena Ranger’s tenure?
Sir Oliver Dowden brings a distinguished political career, extensive government experience, and a senior platform as Deputy Prime Minister that is critical for elevating CF India’s profile and influence at the highest levels. His insider knowledge of government processes and strategic vision around UK–India relations uniquely positions him to open doors and advocate for the community’s interests within the corridors of power.
Our leadership partnership benefits greatly from complementary strengths. While Sir Oliver offers institutional clout, policy expertise, and a direct line to key decision-makers, I contribute decades of practical experience in entrepreneurship, business leadership, and community engagement within the British Indian diaspora. This blend of perspectives allows us to approach our mission holistically—from crafting policy-relevant initiatives to grounding them in the lived realities and aspirations of the community.
Building on the strong foundations laid by Ameet Jogia and Reena Ranger, who transformed CF India into a dynamic platform for engagement, we aim to broaden participation across generations and sectors. We will prioritise expanding access to political pathways for underrepresented groups within the community, amplifying British Indian achievements across media and political discourse, and sustaining momentum by forging partnerships with businesses, educational institutions, and civil society. Together, we seek to ensure that CF India remains an influential, inclusive force shaping the UK’s future.
3. The Indian diaspora is among the UK’s most influential communities, yet figures like Kemi Badenoch have faced criticism for their lack of engagement, especially with the Conservatives’ popularity plummeting. How can the party take stronger steps to genuinely reflect and address British Indians’ concerns and what message would you like to share with the community at this time?
The British Indian community has been an integral pillar of the UK’s prosperity and cultural richness, consistently exemplifying hard work, resilience, and strong family and community values. These qualities resonate deeply with Conservative principles and provide a powerful common ground for collaboration.
However, it is clear that trust and engagement must be actively nurtured. To genuinely address British Indians’ concerns, the Conservative Party must invest in sustained, transparent dialogue that goes beyond tokenism or symbolic representation. This means actively listening to community issues—from education and entrepreneurship to social inclusion and combating discrimination—and embedding these concerns into party policies and priorities.
Through Conservative Friends of India, we are committed to creating meaningful opportunities for British Indians to participate in political processes, whether through candidacy, advisory roles, or grassroots activism. Our message to the community is clear: your voice matters, your leadership is valued, and your presence should be reflected not only in voting patterns but in the very fabric of political decision-making.
This moment calls for renewed energy, unity, and ambition from British Indians, to take up space confidently within the Conservative Party and beyond. Together, we can build a future where our contributions are recognised and our concerns addressed with sincerity and action.
4. As leaders of Indian descent rise in UK politics, how can parties ensure their immigration policies build, rather than damage, trust with diaspora communities—especially when current positions across parties, including the Conservatives, risk alienating ethnic minorities?
Immigration policy is a sensitive and complex issue for diaspora communities, including British Indians, who cherish family unity, opportunity, and fairness. To build and maintain trust, policies must strike a balance between the legitimate need for border control and compassionate recognition of the contributions and circumstances of established communities.
Political parties must approach immigration reform with empathy and inclusiveness, informed by direct engagement with affected communities. This means avoiding rhetoric or measures that inadvertently stigmatise or marginalise ethnic minorities, and instead focusing on clarity, fairness, and support mechanisms that facilitate integration, economic contribution, and social cohesion.
At Conservative Friends of India, we advocate for immigration policies that reflect the community’s values—supporting family reunification, skilled migration, and pathways that encourage long-term settlement and contribution. As Co-Chair, I am committed to ensuring that British Indian voices are heard in policy debates, helping to shape approaches that build bridges rather than walls.
The rise of leaders of Indian descent presents an opportunity to inform and influence policy from within, making immigration a platform for trust-building and mutual respect. Through ongoing dialogue, transparency, and partnership, parties can create an environment where diaspora communities feel valued, understood, and confident in their place within the UK.
5. Are there any plans for you to visit India soon? If so, what objectives or partnerships do you aim to advance during that visit?
Yes, I intend to visit India in the near future to advance Conservative Friends of India’s mission of strengthening bilateral ties, promoting cultural exchange, and fostering economic partnerships between the UK and India. In my role as Chairman of the Sri Aurobindo Trust, I regularly visit Auroville, Pondicherry, which reinforces my personal and professional commitment to India’s rich heritage and future potential.
This upcoming visit will focus on engaging with key stakeholders across business, education, and philanthropy to identify opportunities for collaboration that benefit both countries. We aim to facilitate partnerships between UK institutions—whether academic, governmental, or commercial—and Indian counterparts, creating channels for knowledge sharing, innovation, and sustainable development.
Last week, we hosted a high-level delegation of Indian parliamentarians in the UK, continuing our commitment to strengthening ties at the legislative level. This was part of our ongoing effort to foster dialogue, deepen trust, and develop shared priorities between our two democracies. We are actively working with members of the Indian Parliament to support initiatives that enhance bilateral cooperation and mutual understanding.
India is not merely a part of our past—it represents a vital component of our shared future. As global uncertainties persist, the UK–India relationship stands as a cornerstone of strategic importance, economically, culturally, and geopolitically. Our community plays a critical role in building and sustaining that bridge, and I look forward to advancing this cause with humility, respect, and purposeful leadership.
