Ratan Naval Tata ‘59
Sustainable wealth creation by business has always needed to be responsible and committed to optimizing returns to all stakeholders, most importantly to the community which nurtures the enterprise. The imperatives of climate change, described as the market’s greatest failure by Sir Nicholas Stern, and the growing inequality in the world on the back of persistent and wide-spread poverty have increased the onus on business to be committed to sustainability in its widest possible definition. Companies with a vision need to commit themselves to innovating business models which can simultaneously alleviate poverty levels, enrich the environment and deliver long-term value to all its stakeholders.
Born in Mumbai (India) on December 28, 1937, Mr. Tata received a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture from Cornell University in 1962. Mr. Tata joined the Tata Group in December 1962. He served in various Tata companies before being appointed Chairman of Tata Sons Limited (Group Chairman), the holding company of the Tata Group, in 1991. He serves as the Chairman of the major Tata companies including Tata Steel, Tata Motors, Tata Power, Tata Consultancy Services, Tata Tea, Tata Chemicals, Indian Hotels and Tata Teleservices Limited. He has played a key role in Tata companies’ recent overseas thrust which saw Tata Steel acquire Corus and Tata Motors acquire Jaguar Land Rover. In his tenure, annual Group revenues have grown from $ 5.8 bn to over $ 80 bn currently.
He is also the Chairman of two of the largest private sector promoted philanthropic trusts in India. He is also associated with a number of important business and philanthropic organizations in India and abroad. He is the Chairman of the Government of India’s Investment Commission, a member of the board of Alcoa and Fiat SpA and of the International Advisory Boards of Mitsubishi Corporation, the American International Group, and J.P. Morgan Chase. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of Cornell University and the University of Southern California. He has been honored with India’s second highest civilian award, the Padma Bhushan.
Updated: December 30, 2008