Venu Srinivasan Appointed Trustee of Sir Dorabji Tata Trust

The Sir Dorabji Tata Trust has announced the appointment of Venu Srinivasan as a trustee for a term of three years, starting November 12. This decision comes in response to recent changes in legislation enacted by the Maharashtra government that imposes new regulations on the governance of public trusts.

The Maharashtra Public Trusts (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, effective from September 2025, amends the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act of 1950. This ordinance introduces restrictions on the number of life trustees, limiting them to one-fourth of the total board members in any public trust. According to a statement from the trust, the decision to appoint Srinivasan is in alignment with these new legal requirements and is also aimed at designating him as the vice-chairman of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust.

The ordinance is expected to significantly impact the governance structure of Tata Trusts, which include the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and the Sir Ratan Tata Trust. Together, these trusts hold a controlling stake of 65% in Tata Sons, the parent company of the conglomerate that operates across various sectors, from steel to software.

A key element of the recent legal amendments is the stipulation that once a trustee's term ends, they may only be elevated to a perpetual status in specific circumstances, such as vacancy due to death or other serious conditions. This means any resolutions passed after the ordinance's effective date that do not conform to the new provisions may require re-evaluation.

In addition to Venu Srinivasan, the board of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust has also approved the induction of Bhaskar Bhat, a veteran from Titan Company, and Neville Tata, son of Noel Tata, as trustees. Their appointments will also be effective from November 12 and will last for three years.

The restructuring of the board aligns with the government's efforts to modernise the operations of public trusts in Maharashtra, ensuring they operate within a framework that promotes accountability and transparency.

Mehli Mistry, who previously served on the board, has recently parted ways with the Tata Trusts, as disclosed in a letter to Noel Tata. This change in personnel is part of a broader transition within the organisation as it adapts to new regulatory frameworks and governance practices.