Mehli Mistry's Lifetime Trustee Proposal at Tata Trusts

Tata Trusts, a significant player in India's philanthropic landscape, is in the process of reappointing Mehli Mistry as a lifetime trustee for its essential charitable arms. This includes the Sir Ratan Tata Trust, the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, and the Bai Hirabai Jamsetji Tata Navsari Charitable Institution. The proposal comes shortly after Venu Srinivasan’s unanimous reappointment as a lifetime trustee, which Mistry supported wholeheartedly.

The trustees have placed a crucial condition on the proposal, stating that all future trustee renewals must be approved unanimously. This requirement may indicate underlying tensions within the Trusts, as decisions were traditionally made through consensus during Ratan Tata's era. The current situation marks a shift, as voting and divisions among trustees have become more apparent.

Mehli Mistry, who has been a close ally of Ratan Tata, was first inducted as a trustee in 2022, and his current term is set to end on October 28. The recent proposal for his reappointment is set against a backdrop of reported internal rifts within Tata Trusts. There appears to be a faction aligned with the current chairman, Noel Tata, and another group led by Mistry, which comprises loyalists of Ratan Tata.

Mistry is also a member of the four-member Executive Committee of Tata Trusts, which is headed by Noel Tata. This committee also includes Vice Chairmen Vijay Singh and Venu Srinivasan. Recently, Vijay Singh had to step down from the Tata Sons board after facing opposition from four trustees, including Mistry and others.

The dynamics at Tata Trusts reflect larger trends in Indian philanthropy, where governance and decision-making processes are increasingly being scrutinized. As the Trusts navigate these changes, the outcome of Mistry’s reappointment could set a precedent for how internal disagreements are managed and how future leadership will be structured within this prestigious organization.