Mehli Mistry Calls for Removal of Vice Chairman Role at Tata Trusts

Mehli Mistry, a trustee on the board of Tata Education and Development Trust, has formally requested that the vice chairman positions be eliminated from all Tata Trusts, arguing that the roles are not provided for in the governing trust deed, as per The Economic Times report. 

Background to the Proposal 

During a routine meeting of Tata Trusts at the World Trade Centre in Mumbai on February 12, 2026, Mistry raised the issue after a prior discussion at the TEDT board.  

He noted that the vice chairman titles were created when Ratan Tata was occupied with the legal dispute involving the late Cyrus Mistry, and that the current chairman’s firm leadership renders the titles redundant. 

Details of the Vice Chairman Position 

The vice chairman posts were introduced in 2018, appointing former defence secretary Vijay Singh and TVS Motor chairman Venu Srinivasan across the various trusts. Mistry highlighted that the trust deed does not mention such a role, making the titles effectively symbolic. 

Read More: Tata Trusts Reviews Governance at Sir Ratan Tata Trust Amid Maharashtra Ordinance! 

Responses from Other Trustees 

A senior official close to the matter clarified that Mistry’s view applies only to the Education and Development Trust and does not extend to the 2 principal trusts – Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and Sir Ratan Tata Trust – which together hold a majority stake in Tata Sons. The official stated that the decision rests with the chairman of Tata Trusts. 

Implications for Tata Trust Governance 

The trustees of the Education and Development Trust include chairman Noel Tata, Vijay Singh, Venu Srinivasan, Jehangir Mistry and Mehli Mistry.  

Mehli Mistry is no longer a trustee of the 2 principal trusts after his reappointment was rejected on October 28, 2025. He continues to serve on the boards of Tata Medical Centre and Breach Candy Hospital. The ongoing disagreement reflects broader tensions that began after the September 2025 controversy. 

Conclusion 

Mehli Mistry’s request to remove the vice chairman role underscores a debate over governance structures within Tata Trusts. While the proposal has support from some trustees, the final decision remains with the chairman of the overarching trust network. 

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