Brains Behind Tata: 5 Key Figures of the Conglomerate

Tata- a name that follows you everywhere, from the salt you eat to the cars you drive and even the clothes you wear. A tale that started almost one and a half centuries (1868-Present) ago is still going on flawlessly. But Tata didn't become successful all of a sudden. So many people invested their khoon, paseena, and mehnat to build this empire. They weren't just leaders, they were visionaries, innovators, and sometimes bold risk-takers.

Today, we're taking a trip down memory lane and meeting the great minds behind building this great empire. So, let's begin!

Table of Contents:

1. Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata
2. Sir Dorabji Tata
3. J.R.D Tata
4. Ratan Tata
5. Cyrus Mistry

Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata (1839 - 1904)

Let’s start with the founding father himself—Jamsetji Tata. Born on 3 March 1839, Jamsetji came from a family of Zoroastrian Parsi Priests. However, Jamsetji's father, Nusserwanji Tata, broke the tradition and became the first member of the family to start his own business.

Raised in Navsari, Gujarat, Jamsetji moved to Bombay to join his father at the age of 14. His father, Nusserwanji, enrolled him at Elphinstone College, where he graduated in 1858 as a 'green scholar', equivalent to today's graduate. The liberal education he received was the reason that he developed a keen interest in academics and a passion for reading. However, he soon realised that his true calling was in business, which took precedence over his academic interests.

After graduating from college in Bombay in 1858, he joined his father's export trading firm and played a key role in establishing strong branches in Japan, China, Europe, and the United States. But Nusserwanji Tata had other plans. He wanted his son to be involved in the family business, so he sent him to China to learn about the local market and the opium trade. However, during his travels in China, Tata realised that the cotton industry was booming and recognised an opportunity for significant profit.

Establishment of Key Industries:

• In 1868, Jamsetji Tata started a trading firm with a modest capital of ₹21,000. Two years later, he turned a bankrupt oil mill in Mumbai into Alexandra Mill and sold it for a profit.
• Recognising the potential that Nagpur has as a location near cotton fields, railways, and resources, he established the Central India Spinning, Weaving and Manufacturing Company in 1874 with an initial capital of ₹1.5 lakh.
• Three years later, on 1 January 1877, the Empress Mills began operations in Nagpur. Empress Mills became a trailblazer in worker welfare initiatives, a revolutionary concept at the time.
• Jamsetji also laid the groundwork for industries such as steel, hydroelectric power, and hospitality. He envisioned a steel plant that would eventually become Tata Steel, Asia's first and largest steel manufacturer in India.
• He also founded the Taj Hotel. According to one of the popular lore, he decided to open the Taj Hotel after he saw a sign outside the Watson's Hotel in Mumbai saying, "Dogs and Indians not allowed".

Jamsetji had 3 visions in life:

• To develop the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) to prepare future generations for India, contributing to the country’s scientific development.
• To set up a steel plant to strengthen India's industrial power and
• A hydroelectric power plant near Bombay

However, he couldn’t execute any of these visions while he was alive. Jamsetji passed away in 1904 in Germany. Though he did not live to see the fruition of his dreams, his vision laid the groundwork for India's industrial revolution. Today, he is remembered as the "Father of Indian Industry," whose legacy continues through the Tata Group and its contributions to nation-building.

Sir Dorabji Tata (1859 - 1932)

Sir Dorabji Tata was the eldest son of Jamsetji Tata and he solidified the legacy of his father. Born in 1859, he wasn't just an heir to the Tata's throne but also a visionary who turned big dreams into even bigger realities. He not only expanded the family business but also contributed to India's industrial and social development.

Sir Dorabji Tata started his education at Proprietary High School in Bombay, but at 16, he packed his bags for England to study with a private tutor in Kent. By 18, he was off to Gonville and Caius College at Cambridge. After returning to Bombay in 1879, he joined St Xavier's College and earned a bachelor's degree in arts.

Instead of pulling him directly into the family business, Jamsetji Tata encouraged Dorab to explore journalism for a while before trusting him with a major responsibility: setting up a textile project in Pondicherry. Later, Sir Dorab was sent to oversee Empress Mills in Nagpur, the company's flagship project, where he began carving out his own leadership style.

Since his father passed away without fulfilling any of his visions, Dorabji Tata took this upon himself, and pledged to protect the company when it was slipping in 1924 at the expense of his own finances.

To pay the workers, he even gave away his entire personal fortune of ₹1 crore and his wife's jewellery to get a loan. Eventually, Tata Iron and Steel secured some supporters, including prominent political names like Jawaharlal Nehru and Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

His commitment to India's development was also evident in his initiatives to establish the Indian Institute of Science and his financial backing for India's first Olympic team in 1920.

Philanthropy was at the core of Sir Dorabji's work. After the passing of his wife, Lady Meherbai Tata, he established the Lady Tata Memorial Trust to fund leukaemia research. Furthermore, he created the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust in 1932, transferring his entire wealth, including the fabulous Jubilee diamond, to support education, healthcare and rural development.

In 1932, Sir Dorabji Tata passed away, leaving a legacy behind him. His life was proof that some people can be determined to change the future even if it costs them their own fortune.

J.R.D Tata (1904 - 1993)

Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata (J.R.D Tata) was one of the most iconic industrialists, philanthropists, and aviators and served as the chairman of Tata Group for over five decades (1938-1991). During his chairmanship, he led the group to remarkable heights.

Born in 1904 in Paris to Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata, and a French mother, Suzanne “Sooni” Brière, J.R.D had a cosmopolitan upbringing. His father was a prominent businessman and first cousin of Jamsetji Tata, the founder of the Group.

He inherited his love for flying from his French mother and became the first Indian to get a commercial pilot’s license. This passion drove him to establish Tata Airlines (later known as Air India) in 1932. He also piloted the first in Indian aviation history from Karachi to Mumbai.

Taking over as chairman in 1938, J.R.D led the Tata Group with an unparalleled vision as the youngest member of the Tata Sons board. At the time, the group had 14 companies; by the time he stepped down in 1991, it had expanded to 95! Under his leadership, Tata's ventures flourished across industries—steel, power, chemicals, automobiles, and more.

He was deeply committed to nation-building and innovation. He was also passionately interested in employee welfare and social upliftment. Under his leadership, Tata Group became the synonym of ethical business practices and corporate responsibility.

J.R.D Tata was also a pioneer in elevating India's status in Science, Arts, and Medicine. He gave his full-fledged support in establishing institutions like:

• Tata Institute of Fundamental Research,
• Tata Memorial Hospital
• Tata Institute of Social Sciences
• National Institute of Advanced Sciences
• National Centre for the Performing Arts

Each of these institutes stands as excellent examples in their respective fields. He was also awarded the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honour, in recognition of his contributions towards the industrial and social development of India.

His leadership was characterised by a balance between traditional values and modern progress. He was known for his humility and adventurous spirit. Beyond business, J.R.D was a man of curiosity and creativity. Whether it was aviation, art, or science, he believed in pushing boundaries and inspiring others to dream big.

Ratan Tata (1937 - 2024)

Ratan Naval Tata, a name synonymous with innovation and integrity, led the Tata Group as chairman for 2 different terms:

• For 21 years (from 1991-2012)
• And again for 1 year (2016-2017)

 Ratan Tata was born in 1937 in Bombay during the British Raj. His mother, Soonoo Tata, was the niece of Jamshetji Tata.

He studied architecture and structural engineering at Cornell University and later attended the Advanced Management Programme at Harvard Business School. His time in America tremendously influenced his visions. In 1962, he had to return back to India when the news of his grandmother, Lady Navajbai’s deteriorating health conditions reached him.

Soon after his return, he got a job offer from IBM (International Business Machines Corporation). However, upon hearing this news, J.R.D Tata wasn't pleased. Recalling the moment, Ratan Tata says;

“He called me one day and he said you can’t be here in India and working for IBM. I was in [the IBM office] and I remember he asked me for a resume, which I didn’t have. The office had electric typewriters so I sat one evening and typed out a resume on their typewriter and gave it to him.”

That’s how Mr. Tata began his journey with Tata Industries in 1962, the group's promoter company. He started with a six-month stint at Telco (now Tata Motors) before moving to TISCO (now Tata Steel) in 1963 at its Jamshedpur facility for a training programme. After this, Ratan Tata kept climbing the ladder at Tata Group and served at different levels. Here’s how he and Tata Group influenced each others' journey after 1963:

• 1965-1981: Rises through various roles, from technical officer at Tata Steel to Chairman of Tata Industries, spearheading high-tech ventures.
• 1983: Drafts the Tata strategic plan to guide the group's growth.
• 1986-1989: Becomes Air India’s chairman, India’s national airline.
• 1991: Succeeds J.R.D Tata as Chairman of Tata Sons; begins restructuring during India's economic liberalization.
• 2000s: Leads Tata’s global expansion with acquisitions like Tetley, Corus, Jaguar Land Rover, and Daewoo.
• 2008: Launches the Tata Nano and receives the Padma Vibhushan.
• 2012: Steps down as Chairman after a 50-year career, becoming Chairman Emeritus.
• 2024: Passes away at 86, leaving a legacy of leadership and innovation.

He was also awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2000 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2008, the two highest civilian honours in India. He recently passed away on 9 October 2024. But will always be remembered and cherished for his humility, dedication, and passion

Cyrus Mistry (1968 - 2022)

Cyrus Mistry was an Indian businessman and former Chairman of the Tata Group from 2012 to 2016. He was the sixth chairman of the group and the second chairman without the “Tata” surname.

Cyrus Mistry was born in 1968 in Bombay. He was the younger son of Pallonji Mistry, head of the Shapoorji Pallonji Group, a diversified business empire that started as a construction company.

He studied at Mumbai's Cathedral and John Cannon School before earning a civil engineering degree from Imperial College, London, and a master’s in management from the London Business School. He joined the family business in 1991 as a Director at Shapoorji Pallonji & Co. Ltd., focusing on large-scale construction projects and expanding operations internationally, especially in the Middle East and Africa.

In 2006, Cyrus Mistry succeeded his father on the Tata Group's board. Given Pallonji Mistry's significant stake in the group, he also became involved in various Tata companies. In 2011, he was appointed deputy chairman, with the goal of succeeding Ratan Tata as chairman in 2012. Though widely seen as the first non-Tata to lead the group, Cyrus was closely connected to the Tata family through marriage and shared social ties. His sister Aloo is married to Noel Tata, Ratan Tata's half-brother.

During his time as chairman, Cyrus Mistry focused on streamlining operations and modernising the Tata Group. Cyrus Mistry faced significant challenges when he took over as chairman of the Tata Group. He inherited:

• A heavily indebted business, largely due to the acquisitions of Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and Corus Steel.
• A struggling telecom arm.
• Tata Motors, burdened with an uncompetitive car portfolio.
• A steel business struggling with intense market competition.

To address these issues, Mistry formed a team of external executives and began restructuring. He initiated the divestment of Corus’s European operations to reduce losses and continued investing in JLR, leading the company to its highest profits in 2015.

He also revamped Tata Motors’ portfolio, laying the foundation for some of its current successful products. Key products like Tata Nexon, Tigor, and Altroz were the result of groundwork laid during his tenure, including the hiring of Guenter Butschek as CEO of Tata Motors.

However, his bold decisions, including major leadership changes, clashed with the company's traditional mindset, leading to resistance. This led to his removal as chairman in 2016, with no clear reasons provided.

He challenged the decision in court, but while initial rulings were in his favour, the Supreme Court ultimately upheld his dismissal in 2021.

On September 4, 2022, Cyrus Mistry passed away in a car crash. The accident happened when he was returning from Udvada, Gujarat, after offering prayers following the death of his father, Pallonji Mistry.

Cyrus Mistry’s life and career were marked by his deep ties to the Tata and Mistry families, his efforts to modernise business operations, and his leadership during a transformative period for Indian industry.

The Bottom Line

From Jamsetji Tata's revolutionary dreams to Cyrus Mistry's efficient management, Tata Group's story is nothing short of a coming-of-age movie.

There have been seven chairmen leading the Tata Group from 1868 to present. We discussed about Jamsetji Tata, Dorabji Tata, J.R.D Tata, Ratan Tata, and Cyrus Mistry in this article. However, Nowroji Saklatwala and Natarajan Chandrasekaran also served as the second and current chairmen of the Group respectively.

It’s fascinating to think if Jamsetji Tata ever thought that his business that started with a small capital of just ₹21,000 would one day have valuations in crores! Today, his visions have changed the lives of many Indians. Tata has made its way into many households through various offerings, whether it's salt (I mean, desh ka namak) or technology.

Tata Group isn't just a group of businesses, it is a legacy telling the story of every leader who has contributed to this journey. Tata Group and its leaders have shown the world that big dreams can turn into reality if they're paired up with determination, strong-will and good intentions.

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