New Delhi: Noel Tata, the half-brother of the late industrialist Ratan Tata, has been appointed as the chairman of Tata Trusts, according to media reports. The announcement followed a board meeting held in Mumbai.
Currently serving as the vice-chairman of Tata Steel and Titan, Tata is the son of Naval Tata and Simone Tata. Simone, who was Ratan Tata’s stepmother, is also the chairman of Trent, Voltas, Tata Investment Corporation, and Tata International.
Tata Trusts play a crucial role in the governance and philanthropic efforts of the Tata Group, controlling the majority of its holding companies. Noel Tata began his career within the Tata Group in the early 2000s and became Managing Director of Tata International, the group’s global business arm, in 2010. This appointment led to speculation about his potential succession to Ratan Tata.
However, when Ratan Tata retired in 2011, Cyrus Mistry, Noel’s brother-in-law, was appointed as his successor. After Mistry’s removal in 2016, Noel’s influence within the group grew. In 2019, he joined the board of the Sir Ratan Tata Trust and took on significant roles in key Tata companies, including becoming vice-chairman of Titan in 2018 and Tata Steel in 2022.
As chairman of Tata International, Noel has been instrumental in overseeing the group’s international operations and driving the success of Tata Trent, particularly through the Zudio brand, which has emerged as a major player in India’s retail market.
With Tata Trusts holding over 66 percent of Tata Sons’ shares, this leadership transition is vital for the future direction of the Tata Group, particularly in its philanthropic endeavors. Unlike Ratan Tata’s prominent leadership style, Noel is known for a more understated approach, emphasizing the expansion of international business and retail initiatives.
