The Tata Group is not exactly owned by any single member of the Tata family. The group’s principal holding company, Tata Sons, is largely owned by charitable trusts created by successive generations of the Tata family.
Around 66% of Tata Sons is held by philanthropic trusts, according to Tata’s own ownership description. These trusts support causes including education, healthcare, livelihoods, and art and culture.
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The two biggest shareholders are the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT) and the Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT). Together, they own 51.54% of Tata Sons, giving them an outright majority.
Does Noel Tata own Tata Sons?
Noel Tata, chairman of Tata Trusts, does not personally own the Tata Sons shares held by the charitable trusts.
The shares are owned by the respective trusts, with decisions taken through their boards of trustees. Tata Trusts is the umbrella body under which the principal Tata charitable trusts operate.
Tata Sons, meanwhile, sits at the centre of the Tata Group as its principal investment holding company and promoter. Individual Tata companies operate independently under their own boards.
