Lord Raj Kumar Bagri was born in the year 1930. Not much information is available about his education. By the age of 15, Lord Bagri was initiated into metals trading. He started as an apprentice in Calcutta in the year 1945. He worked for the Binani Metals Group. Since then, his business life has largely revolved around metals. During 1954 to 1959, he traveled to various mines, smelters, refineries, and fabrication plants the world over and mastered the intricacies of metal trading. In 1959, Lord Bagri shifted to London, a move which he described as “The city of London offered me a base.” He started Metal Distributors UK (Metdist). 

In 1970, Lord Bagri became a member subscriber of London Metal Exchange (LME) - a highly successful and pre-eminent exchange in the world of non-ferrous metals. That, according to him, is a major step in furthering his business. He said, “The London Metal Exchange provided the cornerstone.” Gradually, he started taking part in the governance of the premier metal exchange in the world. From 1973 to 1982, he was the member of the management committee of the LME. In 1987, he joined the board of directors of the LME. In August 1990, Lord Bagri became the vice chairman of the LME board of directors. In January 1993, he took over as the chairman of the exchange. Thus, he became the first Indian (in fact the first person of non-British origin) to be elected as the chairman of the exchange. Since then, he has taken many path-breaking steps to keep LME as a premier metal exchange in the world. 

Acknowledging his services for furthering LME’s position and to the metals manufacturing industry, Bagri was presented the CBE, by the Queen. In February 26, 1997, Bagri has been created Baron Bagri, of Regent's Park in the City of Westminster, for life. Lord Bagri participates actively in debates on the subjects of industrial, social and economic affairs in the British Parliament. He is an active member of the Conservative Party (Tory) of the Great Britain. 

In January 2003, he relinquished the chairmanship of the LME. His companies, Metdist Limited and Metdist Trading Limited are still trading in the LME.  Metdist Limited is one of the 45 Associate Trade Members (ATMs) of the LME. ATM is a member who is primarily a customer of the LME. The member does not have a right to issue LME contracts. However, this membership provides a close relationship with the Exchange on issues likely to be of concern to the metals industry. Metdist Trading Limited is one of the 12 ring-dealing members (RDMs) of the LME. RDMs are the clearing members of the LME. They have the right to issue LME contracts and hold an exclusive right to trade in the ring.

Today, the Metdist Group (for which Lord Bagri is the founder and the chairman) has extensive trading and manufacturing interests in non-ferrous metals. The group has substantial investments in the manufacturing of rod and wire products. It also has a state of the art integrated plant for the production of copper tubes for the air conditioning industry. Currently, the Metdist Group’s turnover is reckoned to be around 2 billion pounds.

The group has interests in India as well. Together with Usha Martin Ventures, Metdist group holds 15-20 per cent equity stake in Ma Foi Management Consultants Ltd. Metdist Limited’s Indian arm, Metdist Industries Ltd, is setting up a copper smelter and refining project in Gujarat. The group has interests in Metrod - a leading manufacturer of oxygen free high conductivity copper products. Metrod is a leading manufacturer of Copper Rods, Wires and Strips in Malaysia.

Lord Bagri takes active part in many cultural and social activities. He holds many positions in this arena. They include:

Lord Bagri was conferred many an appreciation and honor. They include:

The Lord Bagri, CBE
Ionic Villa
Outer Circle Regent Park
London NW1 4HB  

Metdist Limited
Metdist Trading Limited
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LONDON EC4N 6EJ
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