‘A guiding light in our lives’: Hotelier Joginder Sanger dies

Hotelier and philanthropist Joginder Sanger has died in London aged 85.

Originally from Jalandhar, India, Sanger moved to the UK in 1961, where he established a travel business and exclusive contract with Air India.

His portfolio of London-based properties included the Bentley hotel in Kensington, the Washington Mayfair hotel and the Courthouse hotels in Soho and Shoreditch.

He then opened the first Doubletree by Hilton and Waldorf Astoria Collection hotel in London via a franchise license agreement with Hilton Worldwide.

Sanger was also heavily involved in philanthropy, having served as chair of the Indian educational trust Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in London for several years.

His funeral service on 5 March was attended by industry friends and peers, including NRI industrialist Lord Swraj Paul, hotelier Jasminder Singh, Lakshmi Mittal and many members of the House of Lords and MPs.

Sanger’s son, Girish Sanger, said: “My father was not only an exceptional businessman but a guiding light in our lives. His pioneering work and dedication to both family and his community will forever inspire us all.”

Lord Paul added: “He was a dear friend of mine since the 1950s; I will miss him terribly. Like me, Joginder was also born in Jalandhar, and we shared so many experiences together. He will be missed by the Indian community in Britain, to which he has made immense contributions.”

Sanger is survived by his wife, Sunita, daughter, Reema and son, Girish.

Please send your tributes to jungmin.seo@thecaterer.com.