Ratan Tata steps down, new boss at Bombay House

Ratan Tata retired as chairman of Tata group after a 50-year run on Friday. He kept away from work on the last day in office. Mr Tata, who turned 75 today, is in Pune for his birthday, sources at Bombay House, headquarters of the salt-to-software conglomerate, told PTI, adding there was no clarity on whether he would visit his office later in the day. (Watch: The end of an era) Chairman-designate Cyrus Mistry, who made a visit to Bombay House today, will take charge of the new assignment on Saturday, sources in Tata Sons said. (Read: Who is Cyrus Mistry) Mr Mistry was groomed for the assignment by Tata for a year. Mr Mistry travelled in Indigo Manza, an entry-level sedan manufactured by Tata Motors, to travel to work on the important day, marking an end to an era. (Read: Five big challenges for Cyrus Mistry) The narrow lane leading to Bombay House, one of the oldest buildings in the heritage Fort area of south Mumbai, has heavy media presence since this morning in anticipation of Mr Tata visiting Bombay House. Ratan Tata, who led the group for 21 years after being chosen successor by his uncle, the iconic JRD Tata, in 1991, is credited with transforming the group through bold decisions including large global acquisitions, even as some of its peers struggled to stay relevant post economic liberalisation. (Watch: How Ratan Tata turned passion into success) Mr Mistry, who has been with the group since 2006 in various capacities hails from the Shapoorji Pallonji family, the largest private share holder of the group's holding company Tata Sons. Born on July 4, 1968, Cyrus Mistry completed his graduation in Civil Engineering from London's Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine and followed it up with masters in Management from the London Business School. He was chosen by a 5-member panel last year to succeed Ratan Tata. During Ratan Tata's tenure, the group's revenues grew manifold, totalling $100.09 billion (around Rs 475,721 crore) in 2011-12 from a turnover of a mere Rs 10,000 crore in 1991. Mr Tata led the group into some notable acquisitions, starting from Tetley by Tata Tea for $450 million in 2000, to steelmaker Corus by Tata Steel in 2007 for GBP 6.2 billion and the landmark Jaguar LandRover in 2008 for $2.3 billion by Tata Motors. (See: Top 10 achievements under Ratan Tata's leadership). Over half of the group's revenues are derived from outside the country currently. Not limiting himself to big-ticket acquisitions, Mr Tata also displayed sensitivity to the needs of the burgeoning middle class with the launch of the Rs one lakh Nano battling the odds in West Bengal. Although Nano could not live up to the expectations after its initial worldwide acclaim, the small car will still be remembered as Mr Tata's desire to provide a "safer" option to many Indian lower-middle class families riding two-wheelers. In a recent interview to PTI, Mr Tata said that Singur was a "great disappointment" because he went there "in a leap of faith" thinking that part of the country was being ignored industrially. Tatas will still go to West Bengal someday, he said. Under Mr Tata, the group also made great strides in the sunrise industry through the 90's. With revenues of over $10 billion in 2011-12, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is today India's largest IT company, ahead of giants in the field like Infosys and Wipro. On his post-retirement plans, Mr Tata, a bachelor, has said he will spend time on technology which is quite a passion with him. He will brush up on his piano, which he learnt as a school boy and pursue flying, apart from his focus on philanthropic activities. (Read: Ratan Tata's retirement plan)

Ratan Tata steps down, new boss at Bombay House

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