Noel Tata emerges as key figure in battle over leadership, ownership of Tata empire

For most of his career, Noel Tata stayed in the shadows of India’s most famous business family, building retail and trading businesses while his half-brother, Ratan Tata, became the public face of the conglomerate.

Today, the low-profile executive has emerged as a pivotal figure in a battle that could determine both the leadership and ownership structure of the 158-year-old Tata empire.