Who is Noel Tata, the successor of Rata Tata? As the board of trustees of the Tata Trusts on Friday unanimously decided to appoint Noel Tata as its chairman, he has become the successor of Ratan Tata who passed away on October 9 in Mumbai.
The board of trustees decided on the future leadership of the philanthropic organisation in a meeting on Friday in Mumbai.
Tata Trusts comprises Sir Ratan Tata Trust and Allied Trusts, and the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and Allied Trusts. These Trusts, with their focus on poverty alleviation, healthcare, and education, are integral to Ratan Tata’s legacy of impactful philanthropy.
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The demise of Ratan Tata left a vacuum at the top post of Tata Trusts, which holds a 66 per cent stake in Tata Sons, the group’s holding company that controls its largest listing companies. The late chairman of Tata Trusts was not married and also did not appoint a successor before his death.
Who is Noel Tata?
The 67-year-old Noel Tata is the half-brother of Ratan Tata and has been involved with the Tata group, including Tata Trusts for many years. He is the son of Naval Tata from his second marriage. He is already a trustee on the board of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and the Sir Ratan Tata Trust.
Currently, Noel is vice-chairman of watchmaker Titan and Tata Steel. He is also the chairman of Tata group’s retail company Trent (the owner of Zudio and Westside) and its NBFC firm Tata Investment Corp. Noel also serves on the board of Voltas.
He is also the managing director of Tata International, where he began his career. It is after this appointment in 2010-11 when the speculation started that Noel was being groomed to succeed Ratan Tata as the head of the Tata group.
Tata International is the Tata Group’s arm for the products and services offered abroad.
Noel Tata graduated from the Sussex University (UK) and has completed the International Executive Programme (IEP) from INSEAD in France.
Noel had earlier worked with Nestle, UK.
Noel, who is an Irish citizen, is married to Aloo Mistry, the daughter of Pallonji Mistry, who was the single largest shareholder in Tata Sons. They have three children — Leah, Maya and Neville.
His children are also trustees of some of the family-linked charities, according to the Tata Trusts website.
Noel Tata is known for his low-profit leadership style and remains out of media engagement as against Ratan Tata who was a more public-facing figure.
Ratan Tata’s Death
Ratan Tata, who held 0.83 per cent stake directly in Tata Sons, was the chairman of the holding company between 1991 and 2012.
Tata, who remained the Chairman Emeritus of the sprawling salt-to-software conglomerate till his death, breathed his last at Breach Candy Hospital in south Mumbai at 11:30 pm on October 9. A recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, Tata was put under intensive care on October 7.
Ratan Tata was laid to rest on October 10 with full state honours in Mumbai.
