The long-simmering boardroom tensions at Tata Trusts—the philanthropic powerhouse holding a controlling 66% stake in Tata Sons—burst into public view this week, as Mehli Mistry, a once-influential trustee and confidant of the late Ratan Tata, was voted out by a majority of his peers. The deciding vote marks a new chapter in the ongoing struggle for influence over one of India’s most storied business empires.
The Split that Sparked a Shake-up
On October 28, the Trusts’ closely-watched vote ended with three of six trustees—Chairman Noel Tata, Venu Srinivasan (TVS Group Chairman Emeritus), and Vijay Singh—opposing Mistry’s reappointment to both the Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT) and the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT). The other trustees—Darius Khambata, Pramit Jhaveri, and Jehangir HC Jehangir—backed Mistry’s continuation, but with the board evenly divided, the extension of his term was effectively ruled out.
This move follows weeks of internal friction. In September, a proposal to reappoint Vijay Singh as Tata Sons’ nominee director failed to secure unanimity, leading to his resignation. At the time, Mistry and his close allies had opposed the extension. Boardroom observers say these episodes underscore how deep the fissures have grown within the Trusts’ leadership.
Aftermath and Next Steps
The Trusts are now expected to begin the search for a new trustee to take Mistry’s place on the SRTT, SDTT, and the Bai Hirabai Jamsetji Tata Navsari Charitable Institution. There’s also speculation that Mistry could seek legal options to challenge the outcome, according to sources close to the matter.
The infighting comes almost exactly a year after Ratan Tata’s passing, an event that elevated Noel Tata to Chairman. It’s widely believed that Mistry and his group may have resisted this shift in power, fueling the increasingly public split. The implications could be significant for Tata Sons, as the Trusts wield tremendous influence through its board nominations.
As one Mumbai business analyst put it, “What happens at Tata Trusts doesn’t just stay at Tata Trusts—it reverberates across the entire Tata Group.” All eyes are now on who steps into Mistry’s role and how the reconfigured board will handle looming strategic decisions in the months ahead.
