In what is believed to be a first, six members of the Tata family are now actively engaged with the Tata Trusts that hold 66% of the share capital of the Group holding company Tata Sons. Leah (39), Maya (36) and Neville (32) have joined their father Noel Tata and uncles Ratan and Jimmy Tata as trustees of smaller Trusts within the umbrella Tata Trusts, a move that news reports have seen as the next-gen being groomed for bigger roles.
Clockwise from above: Leah, Maya and Neville Tata
Quoting unnamed sources The Times of India of May 22, 2024 wrote, "Involving the millennial generation in the smaller Trusts will groom them for more substantial responsibilities and promising roles within the broader Tata ecosystem, potentially including board roles in operating companies.” The newspaper reported that the roles were "approved by Tata Trusts chairman Ratan” and took effect from May 6.
Senior tax expert and "Tata Group watcher” Homi Ranina was quoted in the Business Standard of May 23 as saying the new appointments were "a step in the right direction and there will not be any confusion about succession at the Trusts in the future.”
Leah serves on the Tata Education and Development Trust (TEDT), Tata Social Welfare Trust (TSWT) and Sarvajanik Seva Trust (SST) while Maya will be with the R. D. Tata Trust, TEDT and SST. Neville joins the J. R. D. Tata Trust, R. D. Tata Trust and TSWT. Additionally, he will serve on the board of Tata Indian Institute of Skills, a not-for-profit training organization established by TEDT with Tata Sons and the union government.
Jimmy is on the boards of Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT), Bai Hirabai J. N. Tata Navsari Charitable Institution (BHTNCI) and SST, while Noel is a trustee with Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, SRTT, J. N. Tata Endowment and BHTNCI.