Winning Bizness Desk

Mumbai. The Tata Trusts have announced the appointment of Neville Tata, youngest son of Noel Tata, to the board of the flagship Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT). The decision was unanimously approved by the board and became effective from November 12 for a term of three years. The appointment signals the entry of the next generation of the Tata family into the trust’s leadership structure. Along with Neville, Bhaskar Bhat and Venu Srinivasan have also been appointed as trustees for a three-year term. With these additions, the SDTT board now has seven trustees.

Venu Srinivasan and Bhaskar Bhat return to the board

The SDTT board also reinstated TVS Motor Company’s Chairman Emeritus, Venu Srinivasan, as trustee and vice-chairman. A long-time associate of the Tata Group, Bhaskar Bhat, who has previously worked closely with Noel Tata during his tenure at Titan Company, has also joined the board. Both appointments took effect on November 12, 2025. Noel Tata continues to serve as the permanent trustee of SDTT.

Neville Tata’s growing role in Tata Trusts network

Neville Tata, aged 33, already serves on the boards of several smaller Tata Trusts, including the JRD Tata Trust, RD Tata Trust, Tata Social Welfare Trust, and Tata Medical Centre Trust. His induction into SDTT strengthens his role in the wider trust network. According to the Tata Trusts’ official statement, Neville’s appointment was approved unanimously by the board.

A low-profile figure in Tata family circles

Neville Tata, known for maintaining a low public profile, rarely appears at Tata Group events but regularly attends leadership summits. He is connected with Trent Ltd., a retail venture founded by his grandmother Simone Tata. Neville holds a degree from Bayes Business School (formerly Cass Business School), London. He is married to Manasi Tata, Vice Chairperson of Toyota Kirloskar Motor. The couple has two children, Jamshed and Tiyana Tata. Neville’s elder sisters, Leah Tata and Maya Tata, are also active within the Tata ecosystem—Leah is with Indian Hotels Company (Taj), while Maya manages operations at Tata Digital. Both sisters serve on the boards of smaller trusts.

Possible inclusion in Sir Ratan Tata Trust soon

There is a strong possibility that Neville will soon be inducted into the Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT) as well. Discussions were held in the recent SRTT board meeting, though no final approval was given. If appointed, Neville may later be nominated to the Tata Sons board, marking a significant generational shift within the group’s governance. The Tata Trusts together control around 66 percent of Tata Sons, the principal holding company of the Tata Group, which has an estimated valuation of over 180 billion dollars.

Vacancy created after Mehli Mistry’s resignation

Neville’s appointment follows the resignation of Mehli Mistry, a close associate of Ratan Tata, who stepped down from three Tata Trusts—SRTT, SDTT, and Bai Hirabai J.N. Tata Navsari Charitable Institution Trust—on November 4. Mistry’s reappointment had faced opposition from trustees Noel Tata, Venu Srinivasan, and Vijay Singh. His term officially ended on October 28. The leadership shuffle reflects a broader generational transition and a renewed direction for Tata Trusts’ charitable and strategic roles.

The Tata Group, founded by Jamsetji Tata in 1868, remains India’s largest multinational conglomerate with 30 companies operating in over 100 countries across ten business sectors. In FY 2023-24, the group’s combined revenue reached Rs 13.86 lakh crore, employing more than 10 lakh people across its enterprises. Tata Sons, the holding company, directs major investments and retains 66 percent of its equity through charitable trusts working in education, health, art, and livelihood development.

Summary points

• Neville Tata, son of Noel Tata, joins SDTT board for three years.
• Appointment approved unanimously by Tata Trusts on November 12.
• Venu Srinivasan and Bhaskar Bhat also reappointed for three years.
• Neville already serves on multiple smaller Tata Trust boards.
• He maintains a low public profile but attends key leadership summits.
• Likely to join Sir Ratan Tata Trust soon, extending his influence.
• Leadership reshuffle marks new generation’s rise in Tata Trusts’ structure.