N Chandrasekeran named Ratan Tata Foundation chairman: report

Tata Sons chairman N. Chandrasekaran has been appointed chair of the Ratan Tata Endowment Foundation (RTEF), The Economic Times reported on Wednesday.

The decision was made by the executors of Ratan Tata’s will—Mehli Mistry, Shireen and Deanna Jejeebhoy, and Darius Khambata—following an external legal review.

Chandrasekaran’s appointment went ahead without legal obstacles, as the Foundation operates independently of Tata Trusts and is not bound by the restrictions outlined in the Articles of Association, the ET report said.

Tata had mentioned in his will that he wanted Chandrasekaran to take charge of the Foundation.

As chairman, Chandrasekaran is expected to establish a management team and formalize an operational structure.

RTEF was created as a Section 8 organization to support charity work and promote research and development in technology for the benefit of Indian society.

Earlier, Tata had appointed Burjis Taraporewala and R.R. Shastri as trustees, while Jamsheed Poncha was made CEO. Tata had stressed that the Foundation would remain independent, but after his passing, concerns about its management have arisen.