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Ratan Tata, who was chairman of the salt to software group for more than two decades, breathed his last at south Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital at 11.30 pm on Wednesday. A Padma Vibhushan recipient, Tata, had been in intensive care at the hospital since Monday.
Ever since Ratan Tata's condition turned critical, speculation about the Tata Group's succession plan had the industry buzzing. However, the Rs 33.7 lakh crore empire is no where near floundering without its titular head as there are well-established succession plans at the Tata Group.
N Chandrasekaran is currently the chairman of Tata Sons, the holding company and has held the position since 2017. However, other family members, who at present are leading other segments of the Group, are likely candidates for future leadership roles. Here are the likely contenders.
Noel Tata
Noel Tata, born from Naval Tata's second marriage to Simone, is Ratan Tata's half-brother. Noel Tata has three children — Maya, Neville, and Leah Tata, who are also potential heirs of the corporate empire.
Maya Tata
Maya Tata, 34, with degrees from Bayes Business School and the University of Warwick, has held key positions at Tata Opportunities Fund and Tata Digital. She also played an important role in launching the Tata Neu App.
Neville Tata
Neville Tata, 32, is married to Manasi Kirloskar from the Toyota Kirloskar Group. One of the 'active' players in the Tata Group, he heads Star Bazaar, the hypermarket chain under Trent Limited. He is one of the most likely candidates for a future leadership position within the company.
Leah Tata
Leah Tata, 39, has been in-charge of the Tata Group’s hospitality sector. A graduate of Spain’s IE Business School, she has made her mark by the smooth handling of prestige Taj properties under the Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces brand. At present, she runs the Indian Hotel Company, which has helped enhance the company's presence in the hospitality sector.