A Leadership Legacy in Question
The Tata Group, one of India’s largest and most respected business conglomerates, faces a pivotal moment after the passing of Ratan Tata, the 86-year-old patriarch and former chairman of the group. His death has sparked a wave of speculation over who will succeed him at Tata Trusts, the entity holding a 66% stake in Tata Sons, which oversees the Rs 3,600 crore business empire.
N Chandrasekaran: The Current Leadership
Since 2017, N Chandrasekaran has been at the helm of Tata Sons after the controversial ouster of Cyrus Mistry. Chandrasekaran, who was formerly the CEO of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), took over in a period of uncertainty, but under his leadership, the Tata Group has experienced remarkable growth. Profits soared to Rs 64,267 crore in 2022, up from Rs 36,728 crore in 2017. Chandrasekaran is widely viewed as a “Tata loyalist,” someone Ratan Tata trusted and mentored. In his tribute to the late Ratan Tata, Chandrasekaran described him as a “mentor, guide, and friend” who expanded Tata’s global reach while upholding the values of excellence and integrity.
Despite his successful tenure, the pressing question remains: who will lead the Tata Group and Tata Trusts in the future?
Who Comes After N Chandrasekaran?
At 61, N Chandrasekaran may not be retiring anytime soon, but succession planning is an important question for a group of this magnitude, especially given the absence of a direct heir. Ratan Tata, having remained a bachelor all his life, left no children behind, which has shifted attention to the next possible successors within the extended Tata family.
The Tata Family Contenders: Noel Tata and His Children
Noel Tata, Ratan’s 67-year-old stepbrother, is a prominent figure within the Tata Group and has long been seen as a strong candidate for leadership. Noel holds key positions as the Chairman of Trent, Voltas, and Tata Investment Corporation, and is the Vice Chairman of Tata Steel and Titan. He is also deeply involved in the philanthropic side of the business as a trustee of both the Sir Ratan Tata Trust and the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust.
If Noel does not assume leadership, his children—Leah, Maya, and Neville Tata—are also potential contenders.
Leah Tata, Noel’s eldest child, has been with Indian Hotels Company since 2007 and is considered a significant candidate for future leadership. With a background in marketing from Spain’s IE Business School, she has been working in real estate and development at Tata’s hotel division. Earlier this year, she and her siblings were made trustees of key Tata Trust affiliates, signaling their increasing involvement in the group’s philanthropic and governance roles.
Maya Tata, another key figure, has gained valuable experience in various Tata Group entities, including Tata Capital and Tata Digital. Her education from Warwick University and Bayes Business School has equipped her with the skills necessary to navigate the complexities of a multinational conglomerate. Maya was instrumental in launching Tata Neu, a digital platform that integrates many of the Tata Group’s consumer-facing services.
Neville Tata, the youngest of Noel’s children, has a background in retail, having worked his way up through the ranks at Trent, where he now leads Star Bazaar. Married to Manasi Kirloskar from the influential Kirloskar family, Neville’s marriage has further solidified business ties that could be beneficial for the Tata Group in the future.
The Outsider Contender: Mehli Mistry
While many expect a Tata family member to take over, there’s a possibility that an “outsider” might step in. Mehli Mistry, a director of the Meherji Pallonji Group and a close associate of Ratan Tata, is seen by some as a potential successor. Mehli Mistry, who shares familial ties with the Tata Group, being a cousin of the late Cyrus Mistry, has been involved in the group for years and maintains a close relationship with its leadership.
His deep connections and long-standing association with the Tata family make him a potential dark horse in the succession battle, especially if the focus shifts from family lineage to trusted, long-term associates.
A Family Business with National Impact
Ratan Tata’s death has not only raised questions about leadership but also brought the spotlight back to the Tata family, one of India’s most illustrious business dynasties. The group’s origins can be traced back to Jamsetji Tata, who laid the foundation of what would become a sprawling empire across multiple industries, from steel to hospitality. Jamsetji’s sons, Dorabji and Ratanji Tata, carried forward his legacy, steering the group through the industrialization of India.
While Dorabji did not have children, Ratanji adopted Naval Tata, ensuring that the family legacy would continue. Naval Tata’s children include Ratan Tata, who became the face of the group in the modern era, and Noel Tata, who continues to play a critical role.
Looking Ahead: A Complex Succession Battle
With no clear heir, the leadership succession at Tata Trusts remains a matter of intense speculation. While Noel Tata and his children may be frontrunners, the involvement of non-family members like Mehli Mistry adds complexity to the equation. The transition will likely be a combination of family legacy, business acumen, and maintaining the values that Ratan Tata upheld throughout his life.
The Tata Group is not just a business empire but an institution deeply intertwined with India’s social and economic fabric. Whoever takes over after N Chandrasekaran or Noel Tata will have the enormous responsibility of not only leading a multinational conglomerate but also preserving the legacy of one of India’s most respected families.
(With inputs from agencies)
