Tata Sons board defers decision on 3rd term for chairman Chandra

Months due to a lack of consensus.

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Noel Tata was named chairman of Tata Trusts after the demise of Ratan Tata, who exercised complete sway over the Tata Group through his leadership of Tata Trusts and Tata Sons. However, differences began to manifest soon after Noel’s elevation, leading to the exit of Mehli Mistry as a trustee late last year. According to the executive cited above, unlike the late tycoon who held a firm grip over the conglomerate, it’s still a work in progress for Noel. Many at Tata Sons had viewed Mehli Mistry’s exit from the two key Trusts late last year as a plus for Chandrasekaran in wielding influence over Tata Sons and Tata Trusts, the executive cited earlier said.

The hurdle to Chandrasekaran’s reappointment is reminiscent of the objections to Neville Tata's joining SRTT, indicating there continues to be a thrust and parry in the Tata Trusts and at Tata Sons. However, unlike Neville, Chandrasekaran remains at the helm of Tata Sons until the end of February 2027.

Moves to induct senior executives from Tata Group operating companies to the Tata Sons board have faced opposition from both Noel’s and Chandrasekaran’s camps. Tuesday's developments have spilt the differences to the public domain.