Noel Tata, the new chairman of Tata Trusts, is said to be seeking advice on his continued role as chairman of some group enterprises following his promotion last week, following the death of his stepbrother Ratan Tata.

According to legal experts close to the conglomerate, Tata can continue to chair group firms without any legal or contractual limits because it is a non-executive job. "Ultimately, it will be his decision as to what is best for everyone. There is no immediate need to make a decision," according to someone in the know. "He has managed very large, successful businesses. Finding someone to succeed him overnight is difficult," said a firm official familiar with the situation, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

Tata Trusts appointed Tata as chairman of the philanthropic organizations that hold the key to the huge empire.

Tata is currently the non-executive director and chairwoman of Tata Investment Corporation, Trent, and Voltas, as well as the vice-chairman and non-executive director of Titan Company and Tata Steel.

Tata, 67, retired from executive positions at group firms at the age of 65, which is the group's mandatory retirement age. Executives must also resign from all board positions when they reach the age of 70. There is no retirement age for Tata trustees or chairpersons.

According to Kosturi Ghosh, a partner at law firm Trilegal, Tata does not appear to be a prominent managerial figure in any of the enterprises. "These positions are non-executive, so there should be no restrictions on him being the chairman on these boards even as he becomes Tata Trusts chairman," according to her.

Ratan Tata was the last individual to occupy dual duties as chairman of Tata Trusts and chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, a practice that ended in 2022 when Tata Sons revised its Articles of Association to prohibit a single person from holding both positions.

Trent's chairman, Noel Tata, took over in April 2014 when FH Kavarana retired. Trent's revenue increased 430% during his leadership, from Rs 2,333 crore in FY14 to Rs 12,375 crore last fiscal year, while earnings increased to Rs 1,477 crore from a Rs 19 crore loss, and shareholders enjoyed a 7,600% return. Trent has regularly outperformed the sector in terms of revenue, retail growth, and operating profits.

Tata took over as chairman of Voltas in August 2017, following the retirement of Ishaat Hussain. Voltas' income nearly doubled, from Rs 6,404 crore in FY17 to Rs 12,481 crore in FY24. However, profits fell from Rs 578 crore to Rs 248 crore. Voltas' shares has increased 253% after Tata took ownership.

In recent years, the corporation has lost market share in the refrigeration and air conditioning area as competition has intensified.

Tata Investment Corporation, where Tata also serves as chairman, invests in both public and unlisted stock shares. Its major holdings are 5.97% of Tata Chemicals, 4.65% of Tata Consumer Products, and 4.28% of Trent. Over the last five years, Tata Investment Corporation's stock has returned an amazing 790%, surpassing the Nifty by 119%. Tata Trusts currently has two nominee directors on the Tata Sons board: Vijay Singh and Venu Srinivasan.