N Chandrasekaran: The Indispensable

It was on August 12 that N Chandrasekaran made a surprise announcement of not seeking reappointment as chairman of Tata Sons once his tenure ended. The group, which under its umbrella has some of the biggest companies of India with a combined valuation estimated at `26 lakh crore, was now looking at a post-Chandrasekaran era.

But now has come a twist that few anticipated.

On September 17, a meeting of the Tata Sons Board offered him a five-year extension and it was accepted. With Tata Trusts, the majority shareholders of Tata Sons and led by Noel Tata, terming it illegal, the group has been thrust into the centre of yet another succession struggle, one reminiscent of when Chandrasekaran himself had been appointed following the removal of Cyrus Mistry. His return also follows the Reserve Bank of India denying the request by Tata Sons to not be listed as a public company.

At a time of such restructuring if a stable pair of hands on the steering wheel is needed, then Chandrasekaran has always been one for the Tatas. He has spent his entire working life with the group, starting off as a college intern at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) that he eventually led. He saw the Tata Group through a period of tremendous growth and laid the foundations to make it future ready. The present episode will have sequels but for the moment, Chandrasekaran seems placed to steer the Tatas once again through a testing time.