The deferral of Natarajan Chandrasekaran's re-appointment as Chairman of Tata Sons has sparked questions regarding a previous unanimous resolution by Tata Trusts and potential internal disagreements.
Tata Trusts chairman Noel Tata and two other powerful trustees considered close to him blocked the reappointment of late Ratan Tata's close associate and businessman Mehli Mistry as trustee, deepening the rift at the philanthropic arm that controls the holding company of Tata Group, people familiar with the matter said.
Tata Trusts has unanimously reappointed Venu Srinivasan as a trustee for life, and all eyes are now on the upcoming decision regarding Mehli Mistry's renewal, amid reported internal divisions within the organisation. The reappointment of Srinivasan this week, ahead of his term expiring on October 23, comes amid reports of a vertical split within Tata Trusts - with one faction said to align with Noel Tata, who took over as chairman following Ratan Tata's death, and the other comprising those seen as loyalists of the former doyen.
As the business head of Trent Hypermarket, Neville ensures that customers receive high-quality products that adhere to Tata standards.
Bringing an end to the speculation around Mehli Mistry's trusteeship in the Tata Trusts, the former trustee has officially parted ways with the Tata group, ANI has learned from sources close to Mistry.
Seven listed Tata companies together own 12.1 per cent in Tata Sons with a combined book value worth around Rs 30,700 crore.
Mehli Mistry is backed by three other trustees -- Pramit Jhaveri, Darius Khambata and Jehangir HC Jehangir -- against Tata Trusts Chairman Noel Tata and the two vice-chairmen, Venu Srinivasan and Vijay Singh.
Tata Trusts, which exerts decisive influence over India's most valuable conglomerate through its about 66 per cent stake of Tata Sons, finds itself in the midst of infighting among its trustees over board appointment and governance issues.
The Tata Trusts, led by the Sir Ratan Tata Trust and the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, hold a 66 per cent stake in Tata Sons, the Tata group's holding company.
Noel Tata -- the half-brother of late Rata Tata -- who takes over as chairman of Tata Trusts, has been with the Tata Group for over four decades, slowly rising through the ranks in the salt-to-software conglomerate. Having functioned mostly under the shadows of his illustrious half-brother, Noel (67) will now have the responsibility of leading the Tata Trusts -- broadly comprising Sir Ratan Tata Trust & Allied Trusts, and Sir Dorabji Tata Trust & Allied Trusts -- that hold a controlling 66 per cent stake in Tata Sons, the holding and promoter firm of Tata Group companies.
Tata group has been a constant in India's sporting landscape and the conglomerate's involvement only grew under Ratan Tata.
Will it be Noel Tata, Ratan Tata's half brother?
'The quality of a leader should be such that even if the leader is not there, the institution carries on.'
Noel Tata's children - Leah, Neville, and Maya - have been appointed to the boards of five philanthropic organisations of Tata Trusts, which oversees the $150-billion Tata group. The move is being seen as part of the Trusts' succession plan. Noel Tata's wife Aloo is the daughter of Pallonji Mistry, whose family owns an 18.5 per cent stake in Tata Sons, the holding company of Tata group.
These trusts hold 66 per cent stake in unlisted Tata Sons, the holding company of the $100-billion Tata group of companies.
What would happen to the ownership after Ratan Tata? The succession plan for the 263,862 Tata Sons promoter shares owned by seven Tata Trusts and other holdings of Tata brothers? Would a younger family member inherit?
He may play an indirect role in group beyond Dec next year.
Russi M Lala, 82, celebrated chronicler of Tata Group stories, has seen the top leadership for two generations very closely. He was JRD Tata's biographer and also director of Tata's premier foundation, the Dorabji Tata Trust, for 18 years. He talks about the new leadership and what it means for the Group.
In the largest gift from an international donor in Harvard Business School's 102-year-old history, Ratan Tata, chairman of the Tata Group, announced a $50 million gift to fund a new academic and residential building on the HBS campus in Boston.
The Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Calcutta (CSSSC) announces Doctoral Fellowships for women researchers for 2008-2010.
Of the six chairmen that Tata group has had in its 148 years, the longest serving was Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy
While the entry of 62-year-old Noel Tata, half brother of Ratan Tata, into Tata Trusts is being seen as a significant departure from the past within the salt-to-software conglomerate, Jehangir, a long-standing philanthropist is expected to add heft to Tata Trusts.
Shapoorji and Pallonji Group to contest Cyrus Mistry's ouster from Tata Sons
Bombay House will be closed for renovation - its first such closure in 93 years
R Venkataramanan, the managing trustee of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust who is responsible for all Tata-run trusts, prefers to keep a low profile but has emerged as a power centre in the group - with more clout than many established CEOs, says Dev Chatterjee.
After Rs 800 million makeover, Bombay House reopened on July 29, 2018. The earlier dull interior with low technology has given way to a lot more colour and vibrancy.
At present, the Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015, covers only resident Indians. The Finance Bill has expanded the definition of assessees to include NRIs.
Tata, who attended the annual gala event at the National Centre of Performing Arts after five years, was alluding to Chandra's presentation on the performance of the Tata group of companies.
A career Citibanker, 'Selva' came into the spotlight as the person who rewired the financial behemoth's Indian retail operations.
'I think Ratan felt he had to do everything that he could to retain control of the company started by his forefathers, because that was the first priority and nothing else mattered compared to that.'
In a letter to the Business School community on Wednesday, Nohria said he will step down from the position of dean of the Harvard Business School (HBS) on June 30, 2020, after a decade in the role.
Billionaire Mukesh Ambani's wife Nita Ambani has been nominated for membership in the International Olympic Committee and will become the first Indian woman to be on the apex sporting body if she gets elected at the IOC Session scheduled from August 2 to 4.
Experts view this as a case of "failed experiment" in succession
It is believed that Tata Sons was unhappy with Mistry's approach of shedding non-profit businesses, including the conglomerate's steel business in Europe, and concentrating only on cash cows
Terms reveal that such premature redemption is allowable on dividend reset dates in case there is no agreement on the dividend rate
Tata, 78, who retired as Tata Group Chairman nearly four years back, justified his return for "maintaining stability and continuity of leadership" and promised to give the group "a world-class leader" when a fulltime boss is appointed.
Promoters have not proved they mean well for the community.
What could be the reason for this swift change in less than four years of Mistry taking charge? People in the know said it was building up. The latest trigger was Tata Power's acquisition of Welspun Renewables' solar and power assets
'Nehru once told JRD, "I hate the mention of the very word profit".' '"Jawaharlal, I am talking about the need of the public sector making a profit!" JRD replied.' 'Nehru reiterated, "Never talk to me about the word profit, it is a dirty word".' A fascinating excerpt from Shashank Shah's The Tata Group: From Torchbearers To Trailblazers.
The Tata empire turns 150 this year. R Gopalakrishnan, former director, Tata Sons Ltd, imagines a conversation among the group's founder Jamsetji, his son Dorabji, his successor, Nowroji Saklatwala, and his successor, J R D Tata.