Noel Tata: The Custodian

NOEL NAVAL TATA, born in 1957, took over as chair­man of Tata Trusts on October 11, 2024, stepping into the gigantic shoes of his half-brother, the legendary Ratan Tata who we sadly lost on October 9, 2024. The passing of the baton was as decent and as dignified as everything is in the House of Tata. Noel Tata was already serving as a trustee of Tata Trusts and his anointment as chairman was a foregone conclusion. Not only because Noel is a Tata but equal­ly, like the rest of the family, has lived away from the spotlight and focused on his work. Having been with the group for decades, Noel is as much an insider as anyone else. He also carries the same gene pool comprising values and ethics. Noel has always preferred to stay away from the limelight: intensely private and a deeply committed family man, Noel is someone I know who could not harm a fly. Soft-spoken and shy to a fault, in many ways, Noel is just like Ratan. Head to the ground and shoulder to the wheel: with a strategic focus on business like few others. Often written off, but then again, with Tata Retail, Noel has proven the sceptics wrong as Ratan did when he took over as chairman of Tata Sons.

And even his children take after him and Aloo (Mistry), his wife: the sister of Shapoor Mistry and the late Cyrus Mistry. The children, all working in Tata companies, will never introduce themselves with their full name: they prefer to stick to their first names and it is this culture of decency and humility that Noel shares with his late half-brother as with the rest of his family. Noel has always been the quiet worker, the plodder, and one who plants seeds for the fu­ture. I remember him telling me ages ago that he did not want scale without profitability, and the fact that today the likes of Zudio are doing so well is proof of that belief. Noel began his career at Tata International. And in June 1999, became the managing director of Trent, the group’s retail arm. And Trent’s acquisition of Littlewoods made them change the name of this entity to Westside. By 2003, Westside was profitable just when most retail ventures in India were engulfed in flames of decline and losses.

What is little known is the fact that Noel has always been the face of Tata’s international forays. And as far back as 2010, he was appointed managing director of Tata International: the business arm that deals with all international businesses of the House of Tata. Hence, the experience that Noel has had in managing di­verse businesses across different geographies not only makes him adroit when working as chairman of Tata Trusts but will also make him more empathetic to both Tata Sons as also the philanthropic activities of Tata Trusts.

Noel will lead Tata Trusts much in the same way as he has led his life: with decency and dignity, and away from the public glare. The one quality that Noel has is that he is truly non-confrontational

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I have now known Noel for over a decade and in every interac­tion of mine what has come across is his belief in the value archi­tecture of the House of Tata and his deep affection for his late half-brother Ratan. Contrary to what people say, Ratan, deep down, was very fond of Noel and absolutely adored Noel’s three children: Neville, Maya and Leah. In fact, over the last few years, this bond was strengthened in such a marvellous way and it was Ratan’s belief in the capabilities of the children that they were also made trustees of some of the trusts within the fold of Tata Trusts. One has to understand what Ratan Tata was all about: as shy as ever, it was not easy to draw him into a conversation about family. But I do recall discussing Noel’s spirited outrage on the Mistry years from 2012-16 at the Tata Sons EGM post Cyrus’ departure. I remember Ratan and I discussing that what Noel did was truly commend­able. It is not easy to take on your own brother-in-law when you do not have to. Noel could easily have remained silent but he chose not to because, like Ratan, you can be rest assured, Noel will stand for what is right and do so with courage and purpose.

When we were both standing at the NCPA lawns on October 10, while thousands came to pay their condolences, the grief within Noel was palpable: he stood there right throughout staring at Ratan lying in state. And I, for one, know how much Noel looked up to Ratan. Many will conjecture as to what their relationship truly was but, trust me, no one will ever know. Ratan never wore his heart on his sleeve just as Noel does not: they are human beings who belong to a different era.

The other day, someone asked me about the future of the House of Tata and I said, we now have three angels guarding the House of Tata instead of the solitary Ratan Tata. We have Noel Tata as chairman of Tata Trusts; N Chandrasekaran as chair­man of Tata Sons, and Mehli Mistry who was Ratan Tata’s closest friend and will remain a guardian angel. With this triumvirate in our midst, the House of Tata can only grow both in stature and impact.

Noel will lead Tata Trusts much in the same way as he has led his life: with decency and dignity, and away from the public glare. The one quality that Noel has is he is truly non-confrontational. A man who leads by consensus but with the firmness of both strategic focus and empathy.

And Ratan Tata will always bless this magnificent House which he led with so much grace and gratitude.

About The Author

Suhel Seth

Suhel Seth is Managing Partner of Counselage India and can be reached at suhel@counselage.com

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