From Manchester and Chester to Kolkata: Why These Britons Left Home for India and Never Looked Back
For many, a career move to a foreign country is intended to be a temporary adventure—a one-year contract or a short-term posting meant to bolster a resume before returning to the familiarity of home. However, for Shaun Kenworthy and Paul Walsh, two British professionals, a brief stint in India turned into a lifetime commitment.
Having traded the industrial landscape of Greater Manchester and the historic streets of Chester for the vibrant energy of Kolkata, both men have found that India offers a sense of purpose and belonging they struggled to replicate in the UK.
The Chef Who Stayed
Shaun Kenworthy, 56, arrived in India in October 2000. A seasoned professional who had worked in some of London’s most prestigious restaurants, including Bibendum and Quaglino’s, he viewed his initial contract as a much-needed break from the relentless pace of the British culinary scene.
He never returned to live in the UK. Captivated by the country’s rich tapestry of street food and later finding love in the capital of West Bengal, Kenworthy’s plans shifted permanently. His trajectory was further solidified by the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, which forced a change in his career plans when global travel and the hospitality sector faced a period of profound uncertainty.
“India is an incredible place to live in and the melting point of various cultures,” says Kenworthy, who now serves as a consultant for premium hospitality chains. He notes a stark contrast between his new life and his past, observing that while the UK struggles with rising energy bills, high operating costs, and inflation, India remains a “buzzing country with huge growth potential.” As he marks a quarter of a century in the country, he admits he has no intention of ever moving back.
A Diplomat’s New Calling
Paul Walsh, 57, shares a similar story of serendipity. Posted to the British Deputy High Commission in Kolkata in 2002, the diplomat expected his time in the “City of Joy” to be just another chapter in a 17-year career serving across the globe.
Instead, he found a profound connection to the local lifestyle. “I immediately fell in love with the city and its people because of its rich culture, its pedigree, and the bonding among people who still lived [with extended family],” Walsh explains. “It was a marked contrast to the UK.”
His life took a dramatic turn in 2004 when he began volunteering to teach rugby to disadvantaged local children. The project, which grew into his club, Jungle Crows, became his passion. By 2005, he had left the diplomatic service entirely to focus on youth sports full-time.
Today, as the director of sport for the non-profit Future Hope, Walsh oversees the training of over 3,000 children, with several of his pupils having already represented India on the international stage. Reflecting on his journey, Walsh notes that his life has become deeply “entwined with the culture and love of the city.”
A Permanent Transition
Both men represent a growing number of expatriates who have found that the challenges they once expected to face in a foreign land were far outweighed by the opportunities for personal and professional growth.
While they maintain ties to their roots—Walsh, for instance, still makes an annual trip to visit his mother—the decision to swap the United Kingdom for India has proven to be transformative. For this chef and diplomat who moved to India, the initial one-year plan has evolved into a permanent home, defined not by what they left behind, but by the deep-seated fulfillment they have found in their adopted country.
