Maya & Leah Tata Appointed Trustees at Sir Ratan Tata Industrial Institute
Maya and Leah Tata, daughters of Tata Trusts chairman Noel Tata, have been appointed as trustees at the Sir Ratan Tata Industrial Institute (SRTII) in Mumbai, a subsidiary of Sir Ratan Tata Trust. This move follows the departure of Arnaz Kotwal and Freddy Talati from their positions, with Maya and Leah stepping in to fill the void.
Transition of Trustees
Noel Tata, who took on the role of chairman of Tata Trusts in October 2024, has three children: Leah (39), Maya (36), and Neville (32). The transition of trustees has caused some internal tension, with departing trustee Arnaz Kotwal expressing dissatisfaction with the circumstances surrounding her resignation. She noted that she felt blindsided by the communication from a virtual stranger under the direction of the CEO, Sidharth Sharma.
According to ET, Kotwal confirmed her resignation as requested by Burjis Taraporewala, a Tata Trusts executive, on behalf of Noel Tata. Despite the internal turmoil, Tata Trusts offered no comment on the matter, leaving the situation unresolved.
Appointment Process and Board Structure
Leah and Maya Tata, who have been actively involved in SRTII operations, received their trustee nominations from the Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT) board. The SRTT board, which includes prominent members like Noel Tata, Vijay Singh, and Venu Srinivasan, unanimously approved the appointment of Maya and Leah as trustees of SRTII.
Established in 1928 by Lady Navajbai Tata and the Stri Zarthostri Mandal, SRTII focuses on creating employment opportunities for underprivileged women through various training programs. The involvement of younger generation members like Maya and Leah in smaller trusts like SRTII is seen as a way to prepare them for future responsibilities at the group level.
Professional Background and Roles
Maya Tata, who started her career at Tata Capital, currently works with the Tata Neu app team. Leah Tata, on the other hand, holds a master’s in marketing from IE Business School and serves as the vice president at Indian Hotels. Both sisters have management positions within group companies, further solidifying their roles in the Tata ecosystem.
In conclusion, the appointment of Maya and Leah Tata as trustees at SRTII marks a significant transition in the leadership of the organization, with implications for the future direction of the institute and the Tata Trusts as a whole. Their involvement signals a new chapter in the Tata legacy, setting the stage for continued growth and innovation in the years to come.
