10/10/2024
Ratan Tata is a prominent Indian businessman and philanthropist. He is the former chairman of Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata Group, one of India's largest conglomerates. He served as chairman from 1991 to 2012. Under his leadership, the Tata Group expanded its operations globally and acquired several prominent companies, including British steelmaker Corus and luxury car brands Jaguar and Land Rover. In addition to his business pursuits, Ratan Tata is also actively involved in philanthropic efforts, particularly in the areas of education, healthcare, and community welfare.
Ratan Tata was born on December 28, 1937, in Bombay, British India (now Mumbai, India). He is the son of Naval Tata, who was adopted by the widow of the founder of the Tata Group, Jamshedji Tata. Ratan Tata received a Bachelor of Science degree in architecture with structural engineering from Cornell University in 1962 and a Advanced Management Program from Harvard Business School in 1975.
After completing his education, Ratan Tata began his career at the Tata Group, working in various companies within the group. He was appointed the director-in-charge of the National Radio and Electronics Company Limited (NELCO) in 1971. He later served as the director of Tata Industries, Tata Steel, Tata Motors, and Tata Power.
In 1991, Ratan Tata was appointed chairman of Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata Group. During his tenure as chairman, he oversaw the transformation of the Tata Group into a global conglomerate. He also led the acquisition of several companies, including British steelmaker Corus, luxury car brands Jaguar and Land Rover, and the Tata Tea's purchase of Tetley, the world's second-largest manufacturer and distributor of tea.
In addition to his business pursuits, Ratan Tata is also actively involved in philanthropic efforts. He is the chairman of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and the Sir Ratan Tata Trust, which support various charitable causes in India, including education, healthcare, and community welfare. He also established the Tata Trusts' cancer research center, Tata Memorial Centre, and the Tata Institute of Social Sciences.