Noel Tata and Mehli Mistry in Race for Tata Trusts Chairman

Summary:

1. Noel Tata and Mehli Mistry are key contenders for Tata Trusts’ chairman position.
2. Noel Tata has strong ties with the Tata Group, while Mehli Mistry is a businessman and close ally of Ratan Tata.
3. The decision will impact the future of Tata Group significantly.

Noel Tata and Mehli Mistry: Key Contenders for Tata Trusts Chairman

Tata Trusts, the philanthropic organization at the core of the Tata Group, is in the process of selecting a new chairman. A crucial meeting will be held on Friday, where Noel Tata, Ratan Tata’s stepbrother, is expected to emerge as the leading candidate. Tata Trusts play an integral role in the governance of the Rs 165 billion Tata Group, influencing its future direction.

Noel Tata: A Strong Contender Noel Tata has been part of the Tata Group for over 40 years and is considered a strong contender for the chairman position. He currently holds leadership positions such as Chairman of Tata International Limited, Voltas, and Tata Investment Corporation. He is also Vice Chairman of Tata Steel and Titan Company Limited.
Noel’s leadership is often described as understated, contrasting with Ratan Tata’s more public presence. He has significantly expanded the Tata Group’s global reach, especially in the retail sector. As Managing Director of Trent, he transformed the company into a Rs 2.8 lakh crore retail powerhouse.

Noel Tata’s involvement with Tata Trusts has grown in recent years. He became a trustee of the Sir Ratan Tata Trust in 2019 and joined the board of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust in 2022, indicating his increasing influence within the Trusts.

Mehli Mistry: Another Strong Candidate Another key contender is Mehli Mistry, a businessman and close ally of Ratan Tata. Mehli Mistry is the first cousin of the late Cyrus Mistry but has remained a loyal supporter of Ratan Tata, particularly during the controversial removal of Cyrus as chairman of Tata Sons in 2016.
Mehli Mistry has been involved with Tata Trusts for many years, joining the boards of both Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and Sir Ratan Tata Trust in 2022. His business acumen and close relationship with the Trusts make him a significant figure in the race for the chairmanship.

The Importance of Tata Trusts Tata Trusts are not just philanthropic organizations but hold a controlling stake in Tata Sons, providing them with substantial influence over the Tata Group’s direction. The Trusts are central to the group’s governance and decision-making processes.
Ratan Tata, who was the last person to hold both the chairman positions of Tata Sons and Tata Trusts, contributed immensely to the group’s growth. However, in 2022, Tata Sons amended its Articles of Association, separating the roles of chairman of Tata Sons and Tata Trusts.

Decision-Making Process The Tata Trusts board currently has two vice chairmen: Venu Srinivasan, an industrialist from the TVS group, and Vijay Singh, a former Defence Secretary. Both have served as vice chairmen since 2018 and are actively involved in the Trusts’ administration.
The selection of a chairman will be made through a consensus among the trustees. Whoever takes on the role will need to balance the philanthropic goals of the Trusts with the business interests of Tata Sons.
If Noel Tata is selected, it would continue the Tata family’s long tradition of leading the Trusts, which remains a critical aspect of the Parsi community’s cohesion.

Noel’s family is also closely tied to the Tata Group. His son, Neville Tata, joined Trent in 2016 and has recently taken charge of Star Bazaar. His daughters, Leah and Maya Tata, also hold positions in Tata Group companies.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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