Mehli Mistry, a close confidant of Ratan Tata and executor of his will, has been removed as Chairman of RNT Associates, Tata’s family office which manages his personal investments. His removal from Tata Trusts was another blow to Tata’s businesses after being removed from it in late 2025.
Mistry has always been a low-profile but was very influential within the Tata ecosystem. A chartered accountant, he was closely linked to Ratan Tata for decades and advised him on governance, investments and strategic matters. And he sat on boards of Tata Group companies and philanthropic trusts, evidence of the trust Tata placed in him.
RNT Associates was established in 2009 as Ratan Tata's personal investment office. It has since been a vehicle for backing promising Indian startups (Paytm, Ola, BlueStone, Urban Company, Lenskart). It also came to work with the University of California to create the UC‑RNT Fund, focused on global technology ventures.
In his letter to the board dated June 30, 2026, Mistry explained why he was removed as ‘preoccupied with other commitments’. He expressed his best wishes to the board in carrying forward Ratan Tata’s vision. The board of RNT Associates now has Tata’s sisters Shireen Jejeebhoy and Deanna Jejeebhoy and senior Tata Sons executive Jamsheed Poncha, as well as Tata Sons General Counsel Sidharth Sharma.
Mistry’s removal has led to speculation about how governance and succession will be at Tata Sons. In November 2025 Tata Trusts removed him for control of the company and transparency reasons.
Mistry continues to be on the board of Tata Education and Development Trust, the richest Tata Trusts affiliate, despite being removed as Chairperson of RNT Associates. He is therefore still involved in Tata‑related philanthropy but is detached from investment and governance structures that are closely related to Ratan Tata’s legacy.
In conclusion, Mehli Mistry being removed from Ratan Tata’s position as Chairman of RNT Associates is a watershed moment for the Tata family office. It tells us more about his transition from Tata group companies and the corporate governance situation in Tata group after Ratan Tata’s death.
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