Indian tycoon Ratan Tata has died aged 86, says the Tata Group, the conglomerate he led for more than two decades.Tata was one of India’s most internationally recognised business leaders.The Tata Group is one of India’s largest companies, with annual revenues in excess of $100bn (£76.5bn).In a statement announcing Tata’s death, the current chairman of Tata Sons described him as a “truly uncommon leader”.
Natarajan Chandrasekaran added: “On behalf of the entire Tata family, I extend our deepest condolences to his loved ones.
“His legacy will continue to inspire us as we strive to uphold the principles he so passionately championed.”
During his tenure as chairman of the Tata Group, the conglomerate made several high-profile acquisitions, including the takeover of Anglo-Dutch steelmaker Corus, UK-based car brands Jaguar and Land Rover, and Tetley, the world’s second-largest tea company.
UK Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said in tribute that Tata was a “titan of the business world” who “played a huge role in shaping British industry”.
A profile published in the Economist magazine in 2011 called Tata a “titan”, crediting him with transforming the family group into “a global powerhouse”.
“He owns less than 1% of the group that bears his family name. But he is a titan nonetheless: the most powerful businessman in India and one of the most influential in the world,” the magazine said.
In 2012, he retired as chairman of the group and was appointed chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, the group’s holding company.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Tata as a “visionary business leader, a compassionate soul and an extraordinary human being”.
Paying tribute on X, formerly known as Twitter, Modi recounted “countless interactions” with Tata and said he was “extremely pained” by his death.
Tata – whose body is lying at a cultural centre in Mumbai to allow people to pay their respects – is to receive a state funeral later on Thursday