business

Meet Noel Naval Tata: The new chairman of Tata Trusts

Noel Tata is the half-brother of Ratan Tata. The 67-year-old chairman of the Tata Trusts is the son of Naval Tata, who was also late Ratan’s father, and Simone Tata. Already on the boards of key Sir Ratan Tata Trust and Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, Ratan Tata's half-brother was the frontrunner to succeed him. In recent years, Noel has taken on increasingly important responsibilities within Tata Trusts. These trusts not only manage the group’s philanthropic efforts but also control the majority stake in Tata Sons. His growing involvement in these trusts suggests that Noel was being groomed for a larger role in their governance. Noel Tata’s career within the Tata Group began in the early 2000s, and by 2010-2011, he was appointed managing director of Tata International. Noel also became vice chairman of Titan Company in 2018, and in March 2022, he was appointed vice chairman of Tata Steel. As chairman of Tata International, Noel oversees the group’s global business, including its presence in retail through Tata Trent. It has undergone a remarkable transformation, with brands like Zudio becoming a huge hit. The successor to Ratan Tata at Tata Trusts will need to balance the organization’s philanthropic mission with the governance needs of a global conglomerate. Noel Tata is known for his relatively low-profile leadership style. He is married to Aloo Mistry, the daughter of Pallonji Mistry, who was the largest individual shareholder in Tata Sons. Noel’s children, Leah (39), Maya (36), and Neville (32), have also been inducted as trustees of five prominent trusts

first published: Oct 11, 2024 09:00 pm