The End Of An Era: Ratan Tata’s Legacy And The Future Of Tata Group
Ratan Tata , the iconic Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons , passed away at the age of 86 in Mumbai on Wednesday night. He had been undergoing routine health checkups at Breach Candy hospital since Monday, but his condition deteriorated, leading to his transfer to intensive care just hours before his death.
The question of who would succeed Ratan Tata has long been a topic of discussion, particularly since he had no children. With his passing, the focus now shifts to the future leadership of the Tata Group , a conglomerate with a market value of Rs 3,800 crore.
Current Leadership and Future Succession
N. Chandrasekaran, who has been at the helm of Tata Sons since 2017, is regarded as a stable and efficient leader. Before becoming the Chairman, he was the CEO of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), where his leadership was widely praised. For now, he remains the key figure within the company’s leadership structure.
Ratan Tata’s hospitalisation earlier in the week intensified speculation about the next generation of leaders within the Tata Group. While Ratan Tata had posted on social media reassuring the public that there was nothing to worry about, the issue of succession now looms large.
Noel Tata as a Potential Successor
Noel Tata, Ratan Tata’s half-brother, is viewed as a strong contender to take over. The son of Naval Tata from his second marriage, Noel has spent many years within the Tata Group, making him a natural candidate for the leadership role. His three children—Leah, Maya, and Neville—are also considered potential future leaders.
Leah Tata, the eldest of the three, holds a Master’s degree in Marketing from IE Business School in Madrid and has been with the Tata Group since 2006. She currently serves as Vice President at The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL).
Maya Tata began her journey at Tata Capital as an analyst and has continued to rise within the company.
Neville Tata, meanwhile, started his career at Trent, a retail business that his father, Noel, played a crucial role in developing.
Ratan Tata’s Enduring Legacy
Ratan Tata's journey within the Tata Group began in 1962, after he completed his studies in architecture at Cornell University. Over the years, he rose through the ranks, eventually becoming the Chairman of Tata Sons in 1991. Under his visionary leadership, the Tata Group achieved remarkable global expansion, with major milestones such as Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) going public and Tata Motors acquiring iconic brands like Jaguar Land Rover.
Even after stepping down from his role as Chairman in 2012, Ratan Tata continued to serve as Chairman Emeritus and remained deeply involved in the Tata Trusts , which are known for their wide-ranging philanthropic work across India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his tribute, referred to Tata as a visionary leader who left an indelible mark on both Indian business and society. "He provided stable leadership to one of India’s oldest and most prestigious business houses. At the same time, his contribution went far beyond the boardroom. He endeared himself to several people thanks to his humility, kindness, and unwavering commitment to making our society better," Modi wrote on X.
Modi also highlighted Ratan Tata’s ability to think big and his dedication to giving back to society, posting several pictures of the two together from various stages of his political career.