Tata Sons needs a strong reason for firing Mistry: Nirmalya Kumar

How was your experience with Tata Sons? Given an opportunity, will you return?

No, I will not join the Tatas again. The way I was removed, perhaps it’s not in the best way of the Tata Group. However, the group is a fantastic place to work.

Did you find any written strategy for Tata companies before you formulated one in 2015?

When I joined there was no written strategic document for Tata companies. So we developed a vision and plans of achieving it. It was a strategic document which was agreed by the whole Board and not Cyrus Mistry alone. The strategy was: 1) Prove the winners - TCS, Titan, Voltas 2) Turn around the hotspots, 3) Growth platform - TGBL, Tata Chemicals 4) Seek some new ventures.

The group has claimed you submitted the report on 2025 in 2015, which was late? What is your defence?

There is no defence because it was true. I joined in July 2013. So we spent the first year understanding what we have. It’s a $100 billion group. So it takes time. The Tata Sons Board now has outsiders, so we first have to make sure that they understand the group before understanding the portfolio of Tata companies.

Do you endorse that Tata Trusts rule Tata Sons, and Tata Sons rules Tata companies? Will it continue in future?

The image of Tatas is linked to the image of corporate India. It is very important to figure out a proper governance system for the group so that it survives for next 150 years. And for that, there has to be clarity — what is the role of Tata Trusts, Tata Sons Board and the management and operating company Boards? The respective company Boards have the prime responsibility for strategies of their companies. As a promoter, Tata Sons has some rights which mean they should get high-level strategy viewpoints, they should get quarterly reports, and they should get annual performance review report. But the Tata Trusts members cannot interfere with the Tata companies’ operating and strategic decisions.

You have praised Cyrus Mistry a lot. Can you tell us what is his USP?

Cyrus Mistry is a thorough gentleman. He had the competence and character to do the job and he is a deep thinker. So, Tata Sons needs to find a strong reason for firing him from the job.