Thu Jan 09 20:10:42 UTC 2025: ## Tata Heiresses Join Sir Ratan Tata Industrial Institute Board, Sparking Internal Dispute
**Mumbai, India –** Leah and Maya Tata, daughters of Tata Trusts chairman Noel Tata, have joined the board of trustees of the Sir Ratan Tata Industrial Institute (SRTII), triggering an internal dispute. The appointment, announced [Date of publication], comes months after the passing of their uncle, Ratan Tata.
Leah (39) and Maya (36) Tata, both holding prominent positions within the Tata Group, replace Arnaz Kotwal and Freddy Talati on the SRTII board. Leah serves as vice president at The Indian Hotels Company Limited, while Maya is involved with Tata Digital. Both have extensive backgrounds in business, with master’s degrees from prestigious international institutions. They also serve as trustees of the Tata Medical Centre Trust.
The appointments, described as unanimous by sources, were made by the Sir Ratan Tata Trust’s board of trustees. The Trust, which nominates three of SRTII’s six board members, reportedly prioritized candidates with existing knowledge of SRTII and readily available in Mumbai.
However, the removal of Kotwal has caused friction. In a letter to fellow trustees, Kotwal expressed disappointment at the lack of direct communication regarding her replacement and described feeling “blindsided” by the decision.
Established in 1928, SRTII focuses on providing employment opportunities for women. The appointment of the Tata sisters, considered potential heirs to a significant portion of the Tata empire, marks a generational shift within the organization. The internal conflict surrounding the change highlights the complexities of succession planning within the vast Tata Group.
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