Ratan Tata
Chairman, Sir Ratan Tata Trust and Allied Trusts- Ratan Naval Tata studied architecture and structural engineering in New York's Cornell University, and completed his Bachelor of Science degree in 1962. He joined the Tata Group later that year after a brief stint with Jones and Emmons in Los Angeles
- After working in various group companies, including TELCO (now Tata Motors) and TISCO (now Tata Steel), he was appointed as the chairman of Tata Industries in 1981. He eventually went on to become the group's fifth chairman in 1991, succeeding his uncle J.R.D. Tata.
- In his tenure, Ratan Tata restructured the group as he slashed the number of companies in the group from over 300, and bought new businesses with growth potential
- Under his chairmanship, various group companies of Tata Sons went on to generate huge revenues and he turned the salt to software conglomerate into a $100 billion group
- Ratan Tata also steered the conglomerate’s overseas expansion deftly as various Tata Group companies acquired big global brands
- In 2000, the UK-based Tetley was acquired by Tata Tea (now Tata Consumer Products Limited) for $407 million and is now sold in over 40 countries.
- Ratan Tata helped Tata Motors in acquiring Daewoo Commercial Vehicles for $102 million in 2004. It was then the largest Indian takeover in Korea
- In the biggest-ever foreign takeover by an Indian company, he led Tata Steel to acquire the Anglo-Dutch steelmaker Corus in 2007 for $12.2 billion. The deal catapulted the brand into becoming the world's fifth-largest steelmaker
- A year later, Tata Motors acquired two quintessential British cars Jaguar, and Land Rover - from Ford for $2.3 billion. Tata himself was directly involved in the turnaround plan of the company, and by 2017, JLR’s revenue topped $34 billion
- In a path-breaking move, Ratan Tata launched Nano at the Auto Expo in 2008. Dubbed as the cheapest car, Nano took Tata Motors to the world stage making it a case study in many business schools
- At the age of 75, Ratan Tata stepped down in December 2012 after completing 50 years in the group. He came back briefly for two-and-a-half months in 2016 after Tata Sons sacked Cyrus Mistry and before N Chandrasekaran was appointed as Chairman.
- His post-retirement investment includes buying stakes in over a dozen startups. He also continues to be involved with the Tata Trust, the charitable organisation of the Tata group founders which focuses on tackling child malnutrition, healthcare, literacy and social justice
Before you go ...
- Ratan Tata has received numerous honorary degrees as well as the Government of India's second and third highest civilian awards: the Padma Vibhushan in 2008 and the Padma Bhushan in 2000
- He holds a licence for flying and is a trained pilot. He is the first civilian to fly an F-16
- He was inspired to launch the Nano when he saw a family of four on a motorcycle trying to navigate their way as heavy rains lashed Mumbai. The sight of the kids being sandwiched between the mother and father, provoked him to experiment with an option that would be heavily subsidised and yet safe
Ratan Tata News
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Dr Niranjan Hiranandani has opened up about a personal call from Ratan Tata just weeks before the business icon’s passing. Tata invited him to join the Tata Parkinson Trust as co-trustee, a role Hiranandani accepted immediately. Reflecting on his own journey, he spoke about failures, resilience and projects that redefined real estate in India. From a failed textile mill to landmark townships, his story shows how persistence shaped his career. Today, he stands among India’s most respected property pioneers.
At the Tata Sons AGM, the Shapoorji Pallonji Group approved all resolutions, signaling improved relations. Discussions are underway regarding SP Group's potential exit and monetization options, with Tata Sons exploring avenues. Revenue has nearly doubled and net profit has more than tripled over the past five years, with the group adopting a 'fitness first, velocity next' mantra.
Tata Sons' shareholders unanimously approved all six resolutions at their annual general meeting, including the appointment of Noel N Tata as a director following Ratan Tata's passing. The Shapoorji Pallonji Group supported all resolutions, which also included the reappointment of Venu Srinivasan and Anita Marangoly George as directors.
Tata Motors is set to acquire Iveco from the Agnelli family for $4.4 billion, marking its largest automotive acquisition since Jaguar Land Rover. This move aims to bolster Tata's commercial vehicle arm with advanced technology and global market access, pending regulatory approvals and expected to close by April 2026.
Nithya Menen, known for her romantic roles, reveals her personal experiences with love have been challenging, leading her to prioritize self-worth over finding 'the one.' She emphasizes that marriage is not a priority, liberated from societal expectations and content with a fulfilling life outside conventional romantic relationships.
Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran says safety is now top priority across the Tata Group as it plans fresh expansion. He confirmed a new safety group led by CEOs is reviewing standards across companies. Speaking at the Indian Hotels Company’s AGM, he laid out an ambitious plan to reach 700 hotels worldwide by 2030 and double IHCL’s revenue. Chandrasekaran also remembered Ratan Tata and the victims of the recent Air India crash while highlighting India’s steady travel and services growth.
Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran anticipates a robust future for India's travel sector. Growing consumption will fuel this expansion. Indian Hotels Company Limited aims for 700 hotels globally by 2030. They also target doubling revenues to over Rs 15,000 crore. Chandrasekaran acknowledged Ratan Tata's passing and India's resilience post-pandemic. IHCL's portfolio has expanded significantly.
The last Tata Nano, affectionately named "Lily," has resurfaced, evoking memories of Ratan Tata's vision to provide affordable and safe transportation for Indian families. Shantanu Naidu, Ratan Tata’s former assistant, shared photos of Lily, emphasizing its significance as a symbol of a fulfilled promise and engineering legacy.
Tata Steel is on track to transition to green steel manufacturing in the UK and Netherlands within the next few years. The UK operations are moving towards electric arc furnace-based steelmaking by fiscal 2028, supported by government funding. In the Netherlands, discussions are ongoing for financial support, alongside a cost transformation program.
