Ratan Tata's pick, 'Oustider' who transformed Tata Sons

KOCHI: N Chandrasekaran stepped down as chairman after leading Tata Sons into several new terrains. In nine years, Chandra, as he is known in corporate circles, transformed Tata Sons into a leading group in digital services, retail, electronics, electric vehicles and semiconductors. Tata Sons has more than 30 companies, including TCS, Tata Motors and Air India.

Total revenue rose to Rs 16.24 lakh crore last fiscal year from Rs 7.89 lakh crore in the fiscal year 2020. Net profit increased fivefold during the period from Rs 32,000 crore to Rs 1.71 lakh crore. The market value of listed companies under Tata Sons increased from Rs 9.31 lakh crore to Rs 24.39 lakh crore in six years.

Namakkal-born Chandrasekaran also played a key role in the Tata Group acquiring ownership of the public sector company Air India after a decade of uncertainty. However, Air India's mounting losses led to Chandrasekaran's resignation. The unfortunate fact is that the news of Chandrasekaran's resignation created selling pressure on the shares of Tata Group companies.