Noel Tata to succeed Ratan as chairman of Tata Trusts: Report

Noel Tata, the half-brother of late Ratan Tata, will be the next chairman of Tata Trusts, news agency PTI reported.

According to the PTI, the 67-year-old Noel was chosen to lead the trusts, which collectively own Tata Sons, in a meeting on Friday.

The meeting of the board was held to choose the successor to Ratan Tata after his demise on Wednesday.

A formal announcement on the appointment of Noel, who runs retail business Trent, is likely soon.

According to reports, Mehli Mistry is set to be appointed as a permanent trustee of Tata Trusts. Mehli is the estranged first cousin of former Tata Group chairperson, the late Cyrus Mistry.

Noel Tata is known for his relatively low-profile leadership, a stark contrast to Ratan Tata's more public-facing role. He has been instrumental in driving the conglomerate's growth since he joined the Tata Group in the early 2000s.

Earlier this year, Noel Tata's three children -- Leah, Maya and Neville -- were appointed as trustees in multiple trusts associated with the Sir Ratan Tata Trust and Sir Dorabji Tata Trust.