Who will get the reins of Tata Group after the demise of its Chairman Emeritus Ratan Tata? Will it be Noel Naval Tata, step-brother of Ratan Tata? Will incumbent Chairman N Chandrashekaran take control of the entire operation till a replacement is found? After Ratan Tata retired in 2012 at the age of 72, he was made the Chairman Emeritus of the group. He continued to be at the helm of the affairs for some time before handing over the operations to Chandrasekaran. At present the entire business is being handled by him and Ratan Tata had practically no control over the things. So, there will not be a void at the top of the Tata group with the demise of the scion.

Who Is Noel Tata?

But the next leader must be found to continue with the legacy of its founder Jamshetji Nasarwanji Tata or JN Tata, as he was called. Ratan Tata’s half-brother, the child of Naval and Simone Tata, Noel Tata is the natural choice and heir apparent.

Buoyed by this success, the group made him a Director of Tata Industries and Voltas. It was reported that he was being groomed as the chairman of the salt-to-software conglomerate. However, his brother-in-law Cyrus Mistry was appointed the chairman of the group as Ratan Tata handed him over the reins of the group.

Also Read: Ratan Tata: Visionary Who Transformed Tata Group Into $100 Billion Global Powerhouse
Soon, the head of the Shapoorji Pallonji Group fell out, there were spat between the two in the public, and he was sacked unceremoniously. The matter was settled when the Supreme Court gave the verdict in favour of Ratan Tata.

Noel Tata Joins Sir Ratan Tata Trust

The Tata group made Noel Tata Vice Chairman of Titan Company in 2018, he was inducted onto the board of the Sir Ratan Tata Trust in February 2019 was inducted. He was made Vice Chairman of Tata Steel on March 29, 2022.

Noel Tata is 67 years old and he has a long way to go as the retirement age for senior executives in the Tata group is 70. As he turned around Westside and the retail business has a very good business future, he has the confidence and the edge.

Will Mehli Mistry Get Reins?

If reports are to be believed, Mehli Mistry is another contender for the top post of the salt-to-software conglomerate. A Director of the Meherji Pallonji Group, he was close to Ratan Tata. A cousin of former Tata Sons Chairman Cyrus Mistry, he has been associated with the group for many years.

But the problem is that he belongs to the business group, with which the Tata Sons had a feud and the matter was settled in the court. Though Meherji Pallonji Group has a stake of 18% in the Tata group, the two groups are not at the best of the terms.

Noel Tata’s Children

If media reports are to be believed, Ratan Tata has endorsed Noel Tata’s children Leah, Maya, and Neville for the appointment of trustees of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and the Sir Ratan Tata Trust. These are the main philanthropic arms of the Tata Trusts. However, Noel Tata’s children are not on the board of Tata Sons. They are too young and yet to be groomed for the top post.

Who Is Jimmy Tata?

Ratan Tata has younger brother, Jimmy Tata. He never had an interest in business and he loved playing squash. He lives a simple life in Mumbai and keeps himself away from the limelight and media glare.

Jimmy has considerable stakes in Tata group companies like Tata Steel, Tata Motors and TCS. But, he never hogged the limelight while making his presence in the media and at other events. He is also a trustee of Sir Ratan Tata Trust.

Will N Chandrashekaran Rule?

In an attempt to consolidate his position and make the head of the operations more responsible, Ratan Tata separated the roles of Chairman of Tata Sons and that of Tata Trusts to prevent the same person from heading both institutions. He has considerable influence in the affairs of the Tata group as he was the Chairman of Tata Trusts and former Chairman of Tata Sons.

If media reports are to be believed, Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran may be allowed to be at the helm of the affairs for the time being. He steered the group after the exit of Cyrus Mistry. It is also in his favour that he is not on the board of Tata Trusts.

If media reports are to be believed, Ratan Tata has endorsed Noel Tata’s children Leah, Maya, and Neville for the appointment of trustees of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and the Sir Ratan Tata Trust. These are the main philanthropic arms of the Tata Trusts. However, Noel Tata’s children are not on the board of Tata Sons. They are too young and yet to be groomed for the top post.