Key Points:
- Neville Tata joins board: Appointed as trustee of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, marking next-gen Tata family involvement.
- Leadership changes: Bhaskar Bhat also joins; follows Mehli Mistry’s exit amid governance restructuring.
- Tenure revision: Venu Srinivasan’s term reduced to 3 years under new Maharashtra trust rules.
Neville Tata, son of Noel Tata, has been appointed as a trustee of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, one of the principal Tata Trusts, according to people familiar with the matter. The decision was made at a board meeting held on Tuesday, marking the first such meeting since Mehli Mistry’s removal as a director.
Neville Tata currently heads Star Bazaar, the Tata Group’s supermarket retail chain. His appointment signals the growing involvement of the next generation of the Tata family in the philanthropic arm of the group, which plays a central role in directing charitable initiatives across health, education, and rural development.
Along with Neville Tata, Bhaskar Bhat has also been inducted into the board of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, the sources said. Bhat, a veteran Tata executive and former managing director of Titan Company Ltd., brings decades of experience in brand building and management within the group.
Board meets after director exit
The latest board meeting comes after recent leadership changes at Tata Trusts. It was the first to convene following the exit of Mehli Mistry, who had served as a director. The trust’s restructuring efforts have been ongoing amid a broader governance review aimed at aligning the operations of Tata Trusts with evolving legal and regulatory requirements.
Established in 1932, the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust is among India’s oldest charitable foundations. Along with the Sir Ratan Tata Trust, it holds a majority stake in Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata Group. The trust’s decisions often influence the strategic direction of the group’s philanthropic and governance frameworks.
Venu Srinivasan tenure revised
In another key decision, the tenure of Venu Srinivasan, one of the trustees, has been revised from a lifetime term to three years. The change aligns with a new Maharashtra government regulation that restricts the number of lifetime trustees permitted in public charitable trusts.
Srinivasan, who is also chairman emeritus of TVS Motor Company, has been associated with Tata Trusts for several years and played an advisory role in several of its development programs. The revised tenure reflects the board’s compliance with state guidelines and its effort to standardize trustee appointments.
Regulations prompt key changes
The Maharashtra Charitable Trusts (Amendment) rules introduced earlier this year limit the number of lifetime trustees that charitable organizations can have. The policy aims to ensure periodic board renewal and enhanced transparency in trust governance.
Tata Trusts, which control roughly two-thirds of Tata Sons’ shareholding, have been under review to ensure compliance with these new norms. The recent board decisions are seen as steps toward strengthening accountability and reinforcing the trust’s governance structure.
The appointments of Neville Tata and Bhaskar Bhat, along with the tenure modification for Srinivasan, indicate a continued effort to balance legacy leadership with generational transition. The changes also highlight Tata Trusts’ focus on aligning its governance practices with current regulatory expectations while maintaining continuity in its philanthropic mission.
The Sir Dorabji Tata Trust continues to support wide-ranging initiatives in public health, education, rural livelihoods, and the arts, reaffirming its role as one of India’s most influential charitable organizations.
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