When news broke about Tata scion Noel (pictured) being appointed as vice chairman of Tata Steel on March 29, 2022, several observers saw it as a definitive step towards his being co-opted to the board of Tata Sons. Tata Sons is India’s "largest
conglomerate,” states Wikipedia "with products and services in over 150 countries and operations in 100 countries.” The Telegraph on April 7 noted, "His ascension to the Tata Steel board and designation as its vice chairman will be keenly observed by corporate watchers as the company holds a special place in the Tata pantheon.” Tata Steel has revived the position of vice chairman after eight years. The last occupant of that office was B. Muthuraman, 2009-2014.
The Financial Express (FE) of March 31 noted that the Tata Steel vice chairmanship is an important landmark. "One, it’s the first time that Noel, 65, is joining the board of one of the three most important companies of the Tata group (the other two being Tata Consultancy Services and Tata Motors)… This will be the first time Noel and Tata Sons chairman N. Chandrasekaran will be on the same board.”
Noel is half-brother to chairman emeritus of the Tata Trusts, Ratan Tata. Married to Aloo Mistry, daughter of Pallonji Mistry and sister of erstwhile Group chairman Cyrus Mistry, Noel is chairman of Tata International Limited, Voltas Limited, Tata Investment
Corporation Limited and is also the vice chairman of Titan Company Limited. He was roped in as trustee on the board of Sir Dorabji Tata Trust four months ago (see "Noel at the Trust,” Events and Personalities, Parsiana, March 21-April 6, 2022). The Mistry family holds a 18.4% stake in Tata Sons.
Farrokh Jijina