In a moment of great significance, Krish Kumar Sureshchandra Raval, OBE, was formally introduced as the Baron Raval of Hertsmere, in the County of Hertfordshire in the House of Lords.
The ceremony commenced with the official proclamation, delivered in a solemn and formal manner, affirming Baron Raval’s new status as a life peer. It underscored his rights, responsibilities, and privileges as a member of Britain’s parliamentary and public assemblies.
Following the proclamation, Lord Raval took the oath of allegiance, pledging loyalty to King Charles III, his heirs, and successors. Taking his oath on the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Raval’s elevation to life peerage is a testament to his outstanding contributions to leadership development within the corporate sector and his renowned efforts in fostering community cohesion. His appointment, under the Life Peerages Act of 1958, grants him a seat in the House of Lords, recognising his dedication to fostering unity and social progress.
Director of Faith in Leadership, Chair of Labour Indians, and a former Director of the Churchill Leadership Fellows at Cambridge University, Lord Raval was introduced in the ceremony by Jewish and Muslim peers, Lord Mendelsohn of Finchley and Minister for Faith, Lord Khan of Burnley—a powerful testament to the deep connections and shared values among leaders of Britain’s diverse communities.
A tribute to his parents and humble beginnings
For Lord Raval’s family, the occasion was deeply emotional. His parents, Sureshbhai and Padmaben Raval, watched with pride as their son took his place among Britain’s lawmakers—a moment that symbolised decades of sacrifice, resilience, and service. Like many immigrants of their generation, they arrived in the UK in the 1970s, bringing with them capital, determination, faith, and a strong work ethic.
Lord Raval shared a heartfelt tribute to their struggles, recalling how his parents ran a dry-cleaning business for over 30 years. Day after day, they worked ten-hour shifts, enduring long commutes, and yet, his mother would daily prepare a fresh Gujarati meal for the family. “That kind of sacrifice builds nations,” Lord Raval noted. Their values of service, faith, and perseverance shaped his journey, ultimately leading him to this historic moment.
"It was a proud moment for our family to witness Krish Kumar Sureshchandra Raval, OBE, being introduced as Baron Raval of Hertsmere and taking his oath on the Bhagavad Gita in the House of Lords," shared Navin Jaswant Thaker, his first cousin and attendee.
“His mother, overwhelmed with emotion, could hardly hold back her tears of joy,” he added.
A celebration of leadership education and community cohesion
The brief yet poignant ceremony was attended by family, dignitaries, and members of both Houses of Parliament, all gathered to witness this historic occasion.
Among them was Dr Chinmay Pandya, a childhood friend and grandson of Lord Raval's Gurudev, Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya, founder of the Gayatri Pariwar movement, a spiritual community that today has between 100 to 150 million adherents worldwide. Lord Raval credited the teachings of Pandit Sharma Acharya for instilling in him values of non-judgementalism, inclusivism, and service to all people.
Lord Raval also acknowledged the support of his wife, Dr The Lady Lucy Raval, who, despite the demands of their young children, Lukshmi and Sita, has been a pillar of strength throughout his journey.
Following the ceremony, Lord Mendelsohn, a distinguished investor and philanthropist, hosted a tea party in Lord Raval’s honour, attended by several influential guests from business, faith, and politics. The event saw genuine appreciation from various members of both Houses of Parliament, including Rt Hon Lord Roy Kennedy, the Lord Chief Whip; Kanishka Narayan MP and Jeevun Sandher MP, who warmly congratulated and welcomed Lord Raval into his new role.
A vision for the future
In his address, Lord Raval took the time to thank those who had supported his journey, including his mentor at Cambridge, Professor David Ford, his Faith in Leadership team and his supporters at No 10 Downing Street. He also acknowledged his new parliamentary team, and pledged to earn their trust as a friend and colleague.
With his wealth of experience in leadership education and community cohesion, and his keen interest in deepening bilateral ties with India, Lord Raval is expected to bring a unique and vital dimension to the House of Lords.
He outlined his vision, stating, "I am determined to work for everyone, and, as we Indians always strive to do, serve all communities, ensuring their interests are represented in a balanced way. I also want to ensure that I’m not a bottleneck but rather a bridge—facilitating the representation of our diaspora as well as other communities."
"While I represent everyone, my awareness of the Indian community means I have a responsibility to work with others to ensure its immense talent is not left behind."
