Mumbai, June 24 (IANS): Noel Tata has announced that he will step down as Chairman of Trent Limited, ending an association of nearly three decades with the Tata Group’s flagship retail company. The announcement was made during the company’s 47th Annual General Meeting, where Tata informed shareholders that the meeting would be his last as chairman. The veteran business leader, who will turn 70 in November, is set to retire in accordance with the Tata Group’s governance guidelines, which prescribe a retirement age of 70 for non-executive directors. Noel Tata joined Trent’s board as a director in 1998 after the company was established by his mother, Simone Tata, following the divestment of Lakme, and became the company’s first managing director in June 1999.
During his tenure, Trent underwent a significant transformation, expanding from a single Westside store into one of India’s largest retail networks with more than 1,200 stores nationwide. The company also diversified its portfolio with the growth of fashion chain Zudio and supermarket business Star, both of which have emerged as major growth drivers. In Trent’s FY26 annual report, Tata described the company’s journey as one of steady evolution and highlighted the role of these brands in strengthening its position in the retail sector. The company’s revenue rose to Rs 19,701 crore in FY26, reflecting the scale of expansion achieved under his leadership. Noel Tata is the half-brother of the late business icon Ratan Tata.