Internal friction within the Tata Group has reportedly escalated following the appointment of Sunil D’Souza as the new chairman of Voltas. This key leadership transition reportedly occurred without the customary consultation or knowledge of N Chandrasekaran, the Chairman of Tata Sons, the principal holding company of the conglomerate.
The development comes on the heels of Noel Tata's recent stepping down from multiple board chairman roles, including Voltas, upon reaching the group's non-executive director superannuation age of 70. D’Souza, who also serves as MD and CEO of Tata Consumer Products, succeeded Noel Tata at the 1954-founded firm. However, the unusual process has drawn scrutiny, particularly given Chandrasekaran’s position as chairman of Tata Consumer Products as well.
Unusual Appointment Raises Questions
Sources indicate that it is highly uncommon for a CEO of one Tata company to be appointed chairman of another group entity without prior consultation with the Tata Sons chairman. Sunil D’Souza, a veteran in the consumer sector with three decades of experience, had joined the Voltas board as a non-executive director in May 2026. The Business Standard reported that a board meeting for Tata Consumer Products to review the appointment might be convened, with the company's Nomination and Remuneration Committee (NRC) also examining the matter.
Broader Group Tensions Emerge
The Voltas appointment is seen as a symptom of wider turbulence within the salt-to-software conglomerate. Noel Tata's recent series of board appointments, made without the usual consultation with Chandrasekaran, have brought the underlying tensions to the forefront. Chandrasekaran chairs several critical group boards, including Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Tata Steel, Tata Power, Tata Motors, Air India, Tata Consumer Products, and Indian Hotels Company.
At the core of the ongoing dispute between Tata Sons and Tata Trusts, which holds a significant 66% stake in the holding company, are two major issues: the potential reappointment of Chandrasekaran for a third term and a proposed public listing of Tata Sons. A previous Tata Sons board meeting reportedly highlighted these deepening rifts, with Noel Tata reportedly opposing the entire board on these matters. The upcoming Tata Sons board meeting on November 26 is expected to address these critical issues, potentially shaping the future leadership and strategic direction of the group.