Tata Group Chairman N. Chandrasekaran Conferred Honorary Knighthood by UK

Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Group, was conferred with the honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE) on March 18 in recognition of his contribution to strengthening India-UK business relations.

The honour was presented on behalf of King Charles III at a ceremony held at the British High Commissioner’s residence in New Delhi, attended by Chandrasekaran’s family and friends.

“The honorary knighthood is testament to his impact on global business and his many contributions to advancing growth opportunities between the UK and India. His leadership embodies entrepreneurial spirit, foresight, vision, and aspiration, which has helped to take UK-India business relations to the next level,” she said.

“Mr Chandrasekaran has been driven by a deep and long-standing belief in stronger UK and India trade links. Today, the Tata Group is among the biggest Indian employers in the UK, with 19 subsidiaries based there,” she added.

How is the Tata Group strengthening its investment and presence in the United Kingdom?

“The Tata Group is a long-standing investor in the UK with operations spanning automotive, steel, technology, and consumer sectors. It plays an important role in supporting UK jobs, advanced manufacturing, and the transition to clean technologies,” The British High Commission said in a statement.

“As Chairman of Tata Group, he has made an exceptional contribution to UK-India business relations and to investing in the UK over many years,” it said.

"I humbly accept this honour from His Majesty, King Charles III. This honour is not mine alone. It belongs equally to all colleagues in the Tata Group,” Chandrasekaran said upon receiving the knighthood.

“With over 70,000 employees, the Tata Group has shared a strong and enduring relationship with the United Kingdom across technology, consumer, hospitality, steel, chemicals, and automotive sectors as also iconic British brands like JLR and Tetley,” he added.

“Looking ahead, our commitment to the UK remains strong and unwavering. We continue to invest in the UK -- in JLR's transformation into an all-electric future, in advanced manufacturing, particularly battery technology, in green steel making and in strengthening the innovation ecosystems that will shape the industries of tomorrow,” he added.

“Our resolve is to deepen the partnership -- to build, to serve, and to create a future of shared prosperity between the UK, India and Tata Group,” he added.

(With inputs from ANI)