Tata Motors is entering a new chapter with Shantanu Naidu a millennial manager and the close aide of the late Ratan Tata taking up a crucial position. Naidu has recently taken to LinkedIn to announce that he is now the General Manager, Head of Strategic Initiatives at Tata Motors, a position that is rather charged with an emotional load. In his words: “I used to wait at the window for my father as he walked home from the Tata Motors plant in his white shirt and navy pants. Life has come full circle now.” Naidu’s relationship with Ratan Tata was not just working – it was based on trust, mentorship, and real friendship. Tata even provided for Naidu in his will and even forgave his education loans, all of this as a sign of the great bond that they shared. Ratan Tata also helped Naidu launch Goodfellows, a companionship program for senior citizens, which Tata had a lot of interest in. After the death of Ratan Tata on October 9, 2024 at the age of 86, Naidu paid a heartfelt tribute. “The gap this friendship has created in my heart, I will try to fill for the rest of my life,” he wrote. Naidu’s new job at Tata Motors is not only a career progression but the continuation of Ratan Tata’s leadership and strategy for the company’s innovation.
Shantanu Naidu in a Key Role, Continuing Ratan Tata’s Legacy
