NEW DELHI: Making a nostalgic pitch during which he recalled their past association, the interim chairman of Tata Sons, Ratan N Tata, asked the top brass of various companies under the Tata umbrella to focus on the job at hand without being concerned of the change in leadership.
That change was as abrupt as it came, when group chairman Cyrus Mistry was unceremoniously ousted and was replaced by his predecessor, Ratan Tata, as an interim arrangement on Monday.
“I look forward to working with you as we have worked together in the past. An institution must exceed the people who lead it. I am proud of all of you, and let us continue to build the group together,” he said while addressing the managing directors and senior staff of the Tata companies on Monday.
Tata reiterated that he had assumed the role of interim chairman for stability and continuity so that there is no vacuum. “This will be for a short time. A new permanent leadership will be in place,” he said in a statement.
Tata Sons has already announced that a Selection Committee has been constituted to choose a new chairman, and will complete its mandate in four months.
“The companies must focus on their market position vis-à-vis competition, and not compare themselves to their own past. The drive must be on leadership rather than to follow,” he said, according to a statement posted on the company website.
Referring to ongoing initiatives in the companies, he said, “We will evaluate and continue to undertake those that are required to. If there is any change, they will be discussed with you.”