Winning Bizness Desk

Mumbai. Following the passing of former Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata at 86, speculation is growing about who will carry forward his legacy. Although N Chandrasekaran is the current chairman of Tata Sons, the philanthropic institutions of the Tata Trusts, especially the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and Sir Ratan Tata Trust, are critical to the group’s governance, as they hold a 52% stake in Tata Sons. However, Ratan Tata did not appoint a successor to head Tata Trust before his death, leaving a significant leadership question. The Tata Trusts have historically been overseen by members of the Tata family and the Parsi community, with Ratan Tata previously serving as chairman of both Tata Sons and Tata Trust. This dual leadership ended with governance reforms in 2022, which separated the roles, ensuring distinct leadership structures.

Noel Tata: A Strong Contender

Ratan Tata’s half-brother, Noel Tata, is a strong contender to take over the family legacy. Noel, the son of Naval Tata and Simone Tata, is already actively involved in the group, serving as the chairman of Trent, Voltas, Tata Investments, and Tata International. Additionally, he holds the position of vice chairman at Tata Steel and serves on the board of the Sir Ratan Tata Trust, which strengthens his candidacy.

Noel Tata's Children Also in the Business

Noel Tata’s three children Leah, Maya, and Neville Tata are also involved in various group companies. Leah is currently a Vice President at Indian Hotels Company Limited (Taj Hotels), while Maya works as an analyst at Tata Capital, and Neville is part of Trent, the group’s retail arm.

Tata Group: A 156-Year Legacy

Founded by Jamsetji Tata in 1868, Tata Group has evolved into India’s largest multinational conglomerate, with operations in over 100 countries and businesses across 10 sectors. With a workforce of more than 1 million people and a 2023-24 revenue of Rs 13.86 lakh crore, Tata’s diverse portfolio touches everyday life — from tea and steel to automobiles and entertainment. As the Tata Trusts play a pivotal role in shaping the group’s future, the selection of Ratan Tata’s successor will have long-term implications on the company’s governance and philanthropic mission.