Noel Tata, the half-brother of the late business tycoon Ratan Tata officially joined the board of Tata Sons, soon after his name was announced as the chairman of Tata Trust, the controlling entity of Tata Sons. Tata Sons oversees the $165 billion Tata Group, a vast combination with a diverse portfolio ranging from salt to software, making it one of the largest and most influential business entities in India.

Noel Tata's appointment is important because he's the first family member since 2011 to serve on the boards of both Tata Trusts and Tata Sons. Since the Trusts own 66% of Tata Sons, this dual role means more family control and involvement in the company's operations.

Who is Noel Tata

Noel Tata is the half-brother of the late Ratan Tata and has earned a reputation for his strong business sense. He’s played a key role in growing Tata Group’s retail and investment businesses. As chairman of Trent and Voltas, and vice-chairperson of Titan and Tata Steel, he has been a significant figure in expanding the group’s retail and consumer-focused sectors.

He joined Trent, Tata’s retail arm, in 2014 and led a major turnaround, growing revenue by 430% over ten years. Since taking over Voltas in 2017, he has also driven impressive growth, with the company’s revenue doubling and stock prices soaring by nearly 300%.

Tata Group transition after Ratan Tata

Ratan Tata, who recently passed away, was a prominent figure who left behind a legacy of great leadership and growth, both as chairman of Tata Sons and chairman emeritus of Tata Trusts. His leadership approach will continue to guide the group, especially since Tata Trusts appoints one-third of the board members at Tata Sons, as per its rules. As Noel Tata steps into a larger governance role, he’s working closely with Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran to build what insiders call a "strong working relationship."

The Tata Sons board now has nine members: two executive directors, three non-executive directors, and four independent directors. Along with Noel Tata, Tata Trusts has nominated Venu Srinivasan, Chairman Emeritus of TVS, and former defence ministry official Vijay Singh. They, along with industrialist Mehli Mistry, form the executive committee of Tata Trusts, which plays a key role in guiding Tata Sons’ direction.