In a strategic move that signals a generational shift within the Tata empire, Neville Tata, son of Noel Tata, Chairman of Tata Trusts, has been appointed as a new trustee of the prestigious Sir Dorabji Tata Trust—one of the key charitable foundations controlling a major share of the Tata Group. The decision was made during the first board meeting following the departure of Mehli Mistry, a long-time associate of Ratan Tata.
Along with Neville, Bhaskar Bhat, a senior Tata Group executive, has also been inducted as a trustee. The Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, which owns 27.98% of Tata Sons, the $30 billion holding company of the Tata conglomerate, is one of India’s most influential philanthropic bodies.
At just 32 years old, Neville becomes the youngest trustee in the history of Tata Trusts, marking a new chapter for the Tata family’s leadership. His appointment comes nearly a year after Noel Tata assumed charge as Chairman of Tata Trusts, highlighting the gradual consolidation of his leadership within the group’s top echelons.
In a statement, Tata Trusts announced:
“The Board of Trustees of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT) unanimously approved the appointment of Mr. Bhaskar Bhat and Mr. Neville Tata as Trustees for a period of three years, effective November 12, 2025.”
The board also decided to limit Chief Trustee Venu Srinivasan’s tenure to three years (earlier a lifetime position) and appointed him as Vice-Chairman of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust.
Neville Tata currently heads Star, the retail division of Trent Limited, further strengthening his business credentials within the Tata ecosystem. His father, Noel Tata, meanwhile, serves not only as Chairman of Tata Trusts but also sits on the Tata Sons board and leads Trent Limited, Tata International, and Tata Investment Corporation.
The dual appointments of Neville Tata and Bhaskar Bhat are being viewed as a clear indication of Noel Tata’s growing influence across the trusts that hold the reins of the Tata conglomerate.
Earlier this year, Noel secured approval to become a permanent trustee, solidifying his leadership role. In October, Noel and vice-chairmen Venu Srinivasan and Vijay Singh had opposed the continued presence of Mehli Mistry on the Tata Trusts board—a move seen as part of Noel’s broader effort to reshape the organization’s power structure.
With these changes, the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT) now comprises seven trustees, while the Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT) has six—marking a significant moment in the ongoing leadership transition within the 100-year-old Tata legacy.
