It is very rare to meet someone who you immediately know has created a legacy. In the case of Lord Gulam Noon, he leaves behind more than one.
Lord Noon made an incredible contribution to this country, and was a passionate believer in the United Kingdom’s values and institutions. It was therefore fitting that we could celebrate his life in the Houses of Parliament.
Joined by the late Lord Noon’s friends and family, as well as Members of Parliament and Members of the House of Lords, we heard a number of wonderful testimonies, including from the former Prime Minister, Tony Blair, Lord Kamlesh Patel, Baroness McDonagh,Virendra Sharma MP and Lord Noon’s widow, Mohini Noon.
They all spoke passionately of the change he has forever made to his industry, and to Britain. We can all be immensely proud of what he achieved, and the record he leaves behind is not one of remarkable entrepreneurship, but the personification of the successful and enterprising British Asian community.
I know one of his proudest moments was being appointed to the House of Lords in 2011, and his colleagues will miss his expertise in the areas of immigration, prevention of extremism and education.
Our thoughts and condolences go to his family at this difficult time, and I am immensely grateful to them for joining us at Monday’s memorial event.
A true entrepreneur is not judged only on business nous or profits, but their resolve in the face of adversity, how they contribute to their community and the mark they leave on their industry. On all of these qualities, Lord Noon will be remembered as a stand-out role model.
Lord Noon faced incredible challenges and overcame them all, including a serious factory fire which threatened to end his business in 1994. When confronted with obstacles, he would dust himself off and keep going.
There are thousands of people in Britain, in India and throughout the world who have benefited from his enterprise, jobs he created, and his big heart. He also never forgot his roots in India, where he returned every three months and built a charitable hospital in his home town of Rajasthan.
He was a decent, honourable and generous man, who was dedicated to his family and grateful to Britain for giving him the life chances to prove what an extraordinary man he was.
