Simone Tata, born in 1930 in Geneva, Switzerland, completed her education at Geneva University. Her journey to India in 1953 as a tourist changed her life forever when she met Naval H Tata, a prominent figure in the Tata Group and the father of Ratan Tata. They married in 1955, with Simone Tata making India her permanent home.
Entrepreneurial Journey with Tata Group
Simone Tata’s professional career with Tata Group began in 1962 when she joined Lakmē, a subsidiary of Tata Group, as Managing Director. Despite lacking prior business experience, Simone Tata’s expertise in cosmetics played a crucial role in transforming Lakmē into a global brand. By 1982, she became Lakmē’s chairperson, and in 1987, she joined the board of Tata Industries.
In 1996, Simone Tata led the strategic move to venture into apparel retailing, resulting in the sale of Lakmē to Hindustan Unilever. The proceeds funded the establishment of Trent, a retail giant with popular brands like Westside, Zudio, Utsa, and Star Bazaar. As of December 2023, Trent’s market capitalisation soared to Rs 1 lakh crore, as reported by the Economic Times.
Philanthropic Endeavours and Legacy
Simone Tata’s contributions extend beyond business. She served as the Non-Executive Chairperson of Trent until 2006 and has been actively involved in philanthropic initiatives. As the Chairperson of the Sir Ratan Tata Institute and a trustee of various trusts like Children of the World (India) Trust and India Foundation for the Arts, she has championed causes for the underprivileged and the arts community.
Family and Legacy
Simone Tata’s son, Noel Tata, currently serves as the Chairman of Trent, carrying forward her entrepreneurial legacy. Her grandchildren, Leah Tata, Maya Tata, and Neville Tata, are poised to continue the Tata family tradition under the guidance of their uncle, Ratan Tata. Noel Tata’s wife, Aloo Mistry, comes from a notable business lineage, the daughter of the late Pallonji Mistry, a significant shareholder in Tata Group.
