A new chapter has opened for one of India’s most powerful philanthropic institutions. The Tata Trusts have inducted Neville Tata, son of Noel Tata, along with Bhaskar Bhat, former chief executive of Titan Company, as trustees of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT). This move signals a generational shift in the leadership of the Tata family’s charitable foundation. The appointment is historic because Neville, at just 32, has become the youngest trustee in the Trusts’ history, marking a step toward the inclusion of the next generation in the Tata legacy.
However, the announcement has also revealed differences within the Trusts’ structure. While SDTT confirmed the new appointments, the Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT), another key entity under the Tata Trusts umbrella, did not ratify them, citing procedural issues.
A Major Induction in Tata Legacy
The appointments were announced after a board meeting of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust held on 12 November 2025, where members unanimously voted to induct Neville Tata and Bhaskar Bhat for a three-year term beginning 12 November 2025.
A formal statement from Tata Trusts said, “The Board of Trustees of Sir Dorabji Tata Trust held a meeting today and unanimously approved the induction of Mr Bhaskar Bhat and Mr Neville Tata as Trustees.” The statement also confirmed that Venu Srinivasan, vice-chairman of both SDTT and SRTT, was reappointed as vice-chairman and trustee for another three years in line with updated legal requirements.
Neville’s induction comes less than a year after his father Noel Tata took over as chairman of Tata Trusts following Ratan Tata’s long and iconic tenure. The Tata philanthropic entities together hold nearly 66% of Tata Sons, the holding company that controls the entire Tata Group. The induction of Neville signals an effort to ensure continuity and nurture the next generation of Tata leadership.
The Youngest Among the Tatas
Neville Tata’s entry into the board reflects both change and continuity within the Trusts. Having studied business and worked under the guidance of senior Tata Group leaders, Neville has gradually built his career within the Tata ecosystem. Last year, he was appointed business head of Trent Ltd’s grocery arm, Star, which has emerged as one of the fastest-growing retail ventures in the country.
His father, Noel Tata, serves as chairman of Tata International, Trent, and Tata Investment Corporation, apart from leading the Tata Trusts. With Neville joining the philanthropic board, the Tata family’s next generation is taking its place in the structure that directs the group’s charitable work and long-term ownership strategy.
Observers believe this move prepares Neville for a larger role in the future, ensuring the Tata legacy remains both family-rooted and professionally managed.
Governance and Legal Context
The induction also comes at a time of change in Maharashtra’s trust governance laws. In August 2025, the state government issued the Maharashtra Public Trusts (Amendment) Ordinance, which limits the number of permanent trustees to one-fourth of the total, requiring others to serve fixed terms. The amendment aims to bring more accountability and transparency to large charitable institutions.
Complying with this rule, SDTT also changed Venu Srinivasan’s position from a permanent trustee to one with a fixed term, ensuring the board aligns with the latest legal framework.
A Divide Within the Trusts
Despite unanimous approval at SDTT, the Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT), which owns 23.56% of Tata Sons compared to SDTT’s 27.98%, did not approve Neville and Bhat’s induction. According to reports in Mint, Venu Srinivasan raised objections, saying the matter was not on the agenda for the SRTT meeting held immediately after the SDTT session.
The SDTT meeting ended around 4:30 p.m., followed by the SRTT meeting at 5:30 p.m. Although trustees such as Noel Tata, Darius Khambata, Pramit Jhaveri, and Jehangir H.C. Jehangir attended, Srinivasan is said to have declined endorsement, insisting the topic required prior discussion and formal listing.
An executive aware of the events told Mint, “As a result, Neville and Bhaskar were not inducted on the board of SRTT. The Trust will take up their appointment at a later stage.”
Inside the Discussions
People close to the development revealed that Darius Khambata, who sits on both trusts, strongly supported Neville’s inclusion, describing it as a continuation of the Tata legacy. According to one account, Khambata even mentioned that Ratan Tata had personally hoped Neville would join as trustee during his lifetime, underscoring the symbolic significance of the appointment.
During the same meetings, trustees also reviewed the impact of the new state ordinance on existing appointments and term limits. Even though SDTT and SRTT differed over Neville’s induction, both agreed to regularize Venu Srinivasan’s appointment in line with the legal changes.
Continuity and Transformation
Together, the Tata Trusts own a majority 65.9% stake in Tata Sons through their holdings—27.98% via SDTT, 23.56% via SRTT, and the rest through smaller trusts. The remaining ownership of Tata Sons lies with the Shapoorji Pallonji Group (18.38%), other Tata companies (12.86%), and a few individuals (2.87%).
Over the years, the Trusts have maintained a philosophy of careful succession, mentorship, and stability. When Ratan Tata stepped down in 2024, passing the leadership baton to Noel Tata, it was seen as a smooth transition, consistent with the Tata tradition of measured change.
Neville’s entry carries that spirit forward, though the current differences between SDTT and SRTT show that governance within such large philanthropic institutions is becoming more complex. Even if procedural delays keep Neville from joining SRTT immediately, his induction into SDTT is already being seen as a pivotal move for the group’s future.
A New Chapter for Tata Philanthropy
The inclusion of Neville Tata and Bhaskar Bhat is more than just a personnel change. It marks a moment of generational continuity for one of India’s most trusted names in business and charity. Neville’s presence brings youthful energy and modern perspective to the boardroom that has long shaped the nation’s largest philanthropic endeavors—from education and healthcare to rural development and scientific research.
While the immediate focus remains on aligning procedures between SDTT and SRTT, insiders believe that both trusts are working toward a consensus that will eventually formalize Neville’s role across the board.
For the Tata Trusts, this moment represents both stability and transition—a bridge between Ratan Tata’s vision and the next generation’s stewardship. As Neville takes his place alongside industry veterans and family elders, his journey is expected to influence not only the Trusts’ philanthropic direction but also their evolving relationship with Tata Sons and the larger Tata Group.
In the coming months, the Trusts’ decisions will reveal how this generational handover unfolds. But one thing is clear: with Neville’s induction, the Tata legacy is moving confidently into the future, grounded in the same principles of integrity, foresight, and quiet continuity that have defined it for over a century.
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