Meet Bhaskar Bhat, IIT-IIM alumnus, who once led Titan, now inducted to Sir Dorabji Tata Trust Board

Tata Trusts appoints group veterans Bhaskar Bhat and Neville Tata to its board Sir Dorabji Tata Foundation (SDTT). Their terms as trustees begin on November 12 for a three-year term. Neville Tata is the son of Tata Trusts chairman Noel Tata and has been associated with the Tata Group since 2016. So who is Bhaskar Bhat? Bhaskar Bhat served as Titan’s chief executive for 17 years, from 2002 to 2019. He led Titan’s diversification into jewelry, eyewear and accessories, helping grow its market value to nearly $13 billion.

Bhaskar Bhat’s career

The 71-year-old started his career at Godrej & Boyce and worked there for five years before joining Tata Watch Project, which later became Titan Company. In 1978, he joined the Tata Watch project (now Titan). He has overseen the creation of many brands, including pioneering the concept of franchising and retail sales in watches, jewellery, eyewear and precision engineering. He was also a board member of Tata Sons.

Educational qualifications of Bhaskar Bhat

He is an IIT Madras graduate who completed his B.Tech degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1976 and PGDBM from IIM Ahmedabad in 1978.

New additions to Tata Trusts after Mehli Mistry’s exit

The appointment of Bhaskar Bhat and Neville Tata to SDTT comes just days after Mehli Mistry, who had a fight with Noel Tata and other trustees, parted ways with the Tata group on November 4. Mistry, a close confidant of Ratan Tata, was removed from Tata Trusts by other trustees when he was offered re-nomination. Tata Trusts holds a 66 per cent stake in Tata Sons, the main holding company of the Tata group. SDTT holds 28 per cent stake in Tata Sons, while Sir Ratan Tata Trust also holds 24 per cent stake.