WITH A TURNOVER of $128 billion and multiple businesses, the Tata group is a behemoth. Despite being around for more than 150 years, the salt-to-software conglomerate—led by Tata veteran N. Chandrasekaran—is taking nimble steps towards capturing a slice of new-age businesses. With a capex outlay of $90 billion, the group is hoping to fire on many cylinders—such as Air India, Tata Neu, 5G and perhaps even fab manufacturing. The 59-year-old Tata Sons Chairman, who is Business Today’s Business Icon of the Year, talks about where the group is currently placed and what lies ahead. Edited excerpts:
You took charge in February 2017. What did you want to do with the group and its businesses then?
There is nothing more iconic [than] to have the opportunity to head this group and follow the likes of J.R.D. Tata or Ratan Tata. You are speaking of extraordinary men and when I say that, it’s not just about their business acumen. It is for who they are in terms of vision, integrity, care for society or care for India—there are just so many dimensions to them. From that point of view, it was a great moment but the important thing was to understand the job and [the] multifaceted responsibility that came with it. I am still growing into it and I don’t think I will [ever] fully grow into it. It is a journey and I consider myself fortunate to be here.
Moving to the business, I do have some thoughts. Our greatest assets are the Tata brand [and] the group’s value systems and in that background, I have to manage expectations. Everyone has a view on the group and how we should go about our businesses. If they have respect, admiration and affection, there is a right to express views too.
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