Tata Trusts reappoints Venu Srinivasan as ‘trustee for life’ amid internal conflict
Tata Trusts, the philanthropic arm of the Tata Group, has unanimously reappointed Venu Srinivasan as a life trustee, amid reports of infighting between divisions within the organisation, news agency PTI reported on Tuesday (October 21, 2025).
Venu Srinivasan’s reappointment comes just before his tenure ends on October 23, 2025, at a time when people at Tata Trusts are vertically split. One faction is aligned with Noel Tata, who took over the reins after Ratan Tata’s death, and the other is aligned with Mehli Mistry, who has ties to the extended Shapoorji Pallonji family.
People aware of the development told the agency that Srinivasan’s reappointment was unanimous. Tata Trust, however, refused to respond to the news agency’s questions.
A person aware of the developments said that according to past practices, the renewal and new appointment should be made unanimously.
Focus on Mehli Mistry’s renewal
With the reappointment of Venu Srinivasan, the focus has shifted to the reappointment of Mehli Mistry as trustee, whose term ends on October 28, 2025.
According to the report, Mistry’s reappointment and continuation as trustee would require unanimous approval of the board of trustees for a life term appointment.
A person aware of the developments told the news agency, “According to past practices, renewal and new appointment must be made unanimously. Then, the lifetime renewal must be approved unanimously.”
They also said the reappointment is automatic and applies to all trustees.
He runs several charitable trusts, including Tata Trusts, Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and Sir Ratan Tata Trust. The organization also owns 66% of the parent holding company Tata Sons, which has stakes in all Tata Group companies.
According to the report, at the first meeting held on October 17, 2024, it was decided that if the term of office of the board of trustees expires, they will be reappointed by the relevant foundation without any limitation on the validity period.
The report also stated that if any trustee chooses to vote against this motion, he will be in breach of his undertaking and by such conduct he will be ineligible to serve in the ‘Tata Trusts’.
Shapoorji Pallonji family owns more than 18% stake in Tata Sons, the holding company of all Tata Group companies.
