From Trent to Titan: Noel Tata’s journey to the top of Tata Trust

Noel Naval Tata was appointed Chairman of Tata Trusts on October 11, succeeding Ratan Tata, who died on October 9 at the age of 86. This marked a significant moment in the Tata Group’s history, as Noel, half-brother of Ratan Tata, took on the responsibility of leading the charitable trusts that own a controlling stake in Tata Sons.
Noel Tata, born to Naval Tata and Simone Tata, has been a key figure in the Tata Group for many years. He holds several senior positions within the conglomerate, including Chairman of Trent Ltd. and Tata Investment Corporation, as well as Vice Chairman of Titan Company and Tata Steel. His role within the group is not limited to business ventures alone. He is also a trustee of both the Sir Ratan Tata Trust and the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, which together own 66% of Tata Sons.
Noel’s journey with the Tata Group began after he completed his education. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Sussex and attended the International Executive Programme at the INSEAD business school in France. His career started at Tata International, the group’s global trading arm, where he gained experience in international markets and developed the foundation of his business expertise.
In 1999, Noel Tata became the Managing Director of Trent Ltd., Tata’s retail arm, which was founded by his mother, Simone Tata. At that time, Trent was a relatively small player in the Indian retail market, operating a single store. Under Noel’s leadership, Trent expanded significantly, growing from one store to 823 across India. Today, it is the fourth largest company in the Tata Group, following TCS, Titan, and Tata Motors.
One of Noel Tata’s significant achievements at Trent was the acquisition of Littlewoods International, a department store chain, which he transformed into the well-known Westside brand. Through strategic expansion and a focus on modern retailing, Westside became a profitable venture under his guidance.
Noel also played a key role in introducing international brands to India. He facilitated the launch of popular brands such as Zara and Sisley in collaboration with global companies. Additionally, he was instrumental in establishing a joint venture between Trent and the UK’s Tesco to operate the Star Bazaar chain of stores, further diversifying the group’s retail portfolio. The joint venture operates stores in major cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, and Chennai.
Apart from his success at Trent, Noel Tata also led Tata International as its Managing Director from 2010 to 2021. During his time there, the company’s turnover grew significantly, from $500 million to over $3 billion, showing his capability in managing and growing businesses across various sectors.
Noel Tata is known for his quiet leadership style, in contrast to Ratan Tata’s more public profile. Despite his reserved approach, he has made significant contributions to the growth of the Tata Group’s retail and international businesses. His strategic vision and commitment to expanding the group’s global reach have earned him a reputation as a steady and reliable leader.
On a personal front, Noel Tata is married to Aloo Mistry, the sister of former Tata Sons Chairman Cyrus Mistry.