In a significant move, Maya and Leah Tata, daughters of Noel Tata, have been inducted onto the board of trustees of the Sir Ratan Tata Industrial Institute (SRTII), a unit of the Sir Ratan Tata Trust. This development comes after the resignation of Arnaz Kotwal and Freddy Talati from the board. Their departure has paved the way for the two young Tatas, with the transition seen as a step to infuse fresh perspectives into the institution. However, the change has sparked some controversy, as it reportedly upset certain senior members of the SRTII board.
Kotwal, who is currently based in Dubai, expressed his dissatisfaction with the decision in a dissent note addressed to fellow trustees. He mentioned in media reports, “I was very saddened that none of you reached out to speak with me directly about this matter and I was blindsided by this communication from a virtual stranger under the direction of his CEO, Sidharth Sharma, both of whom have no nexus to SRTI.”
The Sir Ratan Tata Industrial Institute, which was founded in 1928 by Lady Navajbai Tata and the Stri Zarthostri Mandal, offers vocational training programs with a focus on empowering women. It is a key initiative under the Tata Trusts, the philanthropic arm of the Tata Group, which continues to be deeply involved in charitable and community-driven endeavors.
The Tata Legacy
Maya and Leah Tata join the SRTII board at a time of transition within the Tata family. Ratan Tata, the revered former chairman of Tata Trusts, passed away in October, and his half-brother Noel Tata was appointed chairman of Tata Trusts later that year. Noel is married to Aloo Mistry, the daughter of industrialist Pallonji Shapoorji Mistry, and the sister of the late Cyrus Mistry, former chairman of Tata Group. The Mistry family holds an 18% stake in Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata Group.
Leah Tata’s Career
Leah Tata, the eldest daughter of Noel and Aloo, has had a distinguished career in the hospitality sector. She currently serves as vice president at The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), a key part of the Tata Group. Leah’s tenure with the group began in 2006, when she worked as an Assistant Manager at Taj Hotels. She is also involved in various charitable initiatives, sitting on the boards of the Tata Social Welfare Trust, Tata Education Trust, and the JRD and Thelma J Tata Trust. Leah holds a master’s degree in marketing from IE Business School in Madrid, Spain.
Maya Tata’s Contributions
Maya Tata has made her mark in the digital space, playing a key role in launching the Tata Neu app. An alumna of Bayes Business School in London and the University of Warwick in Coventry, Maya has also worked with Tata Digital and the Tata Opportunities Fund. She currently serves on the board of Tata Medical Center Trust, continuing the Tata family’s tradition of philanthropic leadership.
Neville Tata’s Role
Neville Tata, the youngest of the three Tata siblings, works with Trent Ltd, the retail arm of the Tata Group. He currently heads Star Bazaar, a retail chain under Trent. Neville is married to Manasi Kirloskar, the daughter of the late Vikram Kirloskar, former chairman of Toyota Motor.
As the Tata family continues to expand its influence across various sectors, the induction of Maya and Leah Tata onto the board of SRTII highlights the next generation’s growing involvement in both the business and philanthropic arms of the family.
