London, England, UK: In a landmark event, the Lord Mayor of London officially hosted a Parsi dinner at Mansion House, his official residence and office, last Friday evening. The gathering celebrated the remarkable contributions of the Zoroastrian Parsi community to British society, both culturally and economically.
The dinner was co-hosted by Karan Bilimoria, founder of Cobra Beer and the first Zoroastrian Parsi in the House of Lords, alongside London’s Lord Mayor, Alastair King. This was the first time in history that the Lord Mayor formally welcomed and honored the Parsi community in this manner.
Addressing the gathering, the Lord Mayor highlighted the community’s significant influence despite its small size. “Though barely 5,000 in the UK, the Zoroastrian Parsi community has made an enormous impact—from business and education to philanthropy and industry. Britain would not be the same without them,” he remarked.
The event drew numerous distinguished Parsi figures across finance, law, business, and public service. Among them were Ron Kalifa, managing partner at Brookfield Asset Management; Cyrus Kapadia, CEO of Lazard UK Investment Banking; Sirous Wadia of K1 Investment Management; Percy Marchant of St James Global Partners LLP; and Zarir Cama, a senior banker at HSBC. Other attendees included Sarosh Zaiwalla, founder of Zaiwalla & Co; Bapsy Dastur, group chief legal officer at Landmark Group; Malcolm M. Deboo, president of the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE); Shernaz Engineer, founder of Verity Appointments; and Rusi K Dalal, the first Asian elected member of the UK House of Commons.
Reflecting on the evening, Lord Bilimoria said, “Being at Mansion House was more than a formal dinner—it was a celebration of identity, legacy, and the enduring values of our people.”
The evening commenced with a prayer led by Ervad Yazad T Bhadha, followed by speeches emphasizing the community’s impact. Cyrus Kapadia remarked that Parsis “hit well above their weight,” crediting their success to education and dedication. Rusi K Dalal and Percy Marchant highlighted the community’s long-standing tradition of giving. Malcolm M. Deboo described the dinner as “historic,” noting that wealth alone is not as meaningful as service to others.
The Parsi commitment to integrity and community was a recurring theme. Ron Kalifa praised their diligent work ethic, while Shernaz Engineer celebrated their accomplishments in commerce and education. Bapsy Dastur reflected on the core principles of Zoroastrianism, emphasizing religion, truth, and integrity as guiding values. Professor Zenobia Nadirshaw spoke of how Parsi integrity inspired her career in mental health.
The dinner itself was a culinary tribute, with celebrity chef Cyrus Todiwala preparing traditional Parsi dishes. Highlights included Patra Ni Machchi (steamed sea bass in banana leaves with coconut chutney), Murghi No Farcho (signature fried chicken), Jardaloo Ma Gos No Palav (lamb with apricots served with lentils and fried potatoes), and Lagunn Nu Custard (a rose, cardamom, and nutmeg-flavored dessert). Bilimoria described it as “a feast of memory, a taste of Bombay recreated in London.”
The historical significance of the Parsi community in the UK stretches back centuries, with the first known arrival in 1724. In 1861, Muncherjee Hormusji Cama and Dadabhai Naoroji co-founded the ZTFE, the oldest Asian association in Britain. Despite their small numbers, Parsis have achieved global influence through integrity and dedication, leaving a profound impact on British society, from pioneering engineers like Ardaseer Cursetjee Wadia to prominent business families such as the Tatas.
The year 2025 also marks the 200th birth anniversary of Dadabhai Naoroji, the first Indian MP in the UK, whose advocacy against the “drain of wealth” from India to Britain remains inspirational. Bilimoria reflected, “We may be few, but we contribute far beyond our size. Our dual identity, rooted yet universal, has enabled us to thrive. I am proud to be the first of hopefully many Zoroastrian Parsis in the House of Lords.”
