Low-profile Noel Tata succeeds Ratan Tata as head of Tata Trusts

Noel Tata, 67, has officially taken over the reins of Tata Trusts, following the death of his half-brother Ratan Tata, who passed away on October 9 at the age of 86. Ratan Tata, the architect behind Tata Group's transformation into a global powerhouse, had long been considered the face of the conglomerate, whose businesses span over 100 countries with a collective revenue of $165 billion.

Although Noel Tata was once considered a potential successor to lead Tata Sons—the holding company of the Tata Group—he saw his brother-in-law, Cyrus Mistry, take that role in 2012 when Ratan Tata retired. Now, Noel has stepped into one of the most crucial roles within the conglomerate as the head of Tata Trusts, which controls 66 per cent of Tata Sons Pvt Ltd.

>> Noel Tata is the son of Naval H Tata and Swiss businesswoman Simone H Tata

>> Noel Tata has been with the Tata Group for over 40 years

>> He holds key positions across various group companies including Trent, Tata International, and Voltas

>> Noel's childrenLeah, Maya, and Neville-are actively involved in Tata Group companies

Ratan Tata's leadership is credited with not only expanding the Tata Group's reach but also embedding it as one of India's most respected and trusted brands. From steering Tata Motors into international markets with the acquisition of Jaguar Land Rover to shaping Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) into a global IT services giant, his tenure was marked by bold, strategic moves that amplified Tata's global presence. The vast empire of Tata Sons is 65.9 per cent owned by Tata Trusts, 12.87 per cent by various Tata Group companies, and 18.4 per cent by the Mistry family.