People

Lord Bilimoria CBE, the founder of Cobra beer. Since 1990, Cobra beer has grown into a giant operation and exports to over 40 countries and has offices across the world. In 2009, Cobra Beer entered into a joint venture with Molson Coors, the largest family owned brewer in the world. 

What is your business background? What are your main interests/areas of expertise?

Founder and Chairman of Cobra Beer which has won 128 Gold medals and exported to over 40 countries around the world. Former Senior Independent Director of the Booker Group Plc, the largest wholesaler in the UK, now a part of Tesco. 

What made you want to be a BIPC Ambassador?

The British Library is one of the nation’s most important institutions and also because the BIPC provides businesses, particularly start-ups and SMEs, access to invaluable information and outstanding facilities free of charge. 

Fun fact about yourself?

Cobra beer was actually originally named Panther and the name was changed to Cobra just before the bottling of the first batch, before it was shipped from Bangalore in India to the UK. 

Advice you would give a business owner just starting out on their journey?

My 10 Ps of building a business: Product, Price, Place, Promotion, People, Phinance, Principles, Partnership, Passion and Profit. 

Your most surreal moment in business?

Being at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee garden party in Buckingham Palace – the largest garden party in history with 12,000 people in attendance and Cobra draft beer being the only beer served alongside Moet and Chandon Champagne.

Most likely to be found at/in…

In a curry restaurant eating Hyderabadi biryani accompanied by chilled extra smooth Cobra Beer, brewed smooth for all food!