Mehli Mistry, a long-time associate of Ratan Tata, has resigned from his position as Trustee of three key Tata Trusts: the Sir Ratan Tata Trust, the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, and the Bai Hirabai J.N. Tata Navsari Charitable Institution Trust. Mistry's decision, communicated in a letter to the trustees on November 4, 2025, comes after recent reports and internal differences within the Trusts. His departure was effective from October 28, 2025.
In his resignation letter, Mistry emphasized his commitment to Ratan Tata's vision of ethical governance and integrity, stating that his resignation aims to prevent any controversy that could harm the philanthropic organization's reputation. He noted it had been a "privilege to serve as a Trustee," an opportunity granted through the "personal endorsement of the late Mr. Ratan N Tata," whom he described as his "dearest friend and mentor". Reaffirming his allegiance to Ratan Tata's values, Mistry wrote that in discharging his duties towards the Tata Trusts, he had been guided by principles of transparency and public interest. He also stated that his decision was motivated by the need to prevent controversy that could harm the reputation of the philanthropic organisation, saying that his commitment to Ratan Tata's vision includes a responsibility to ensure that the Tata Trusts are not plunged into controversy.
Mistry acknowledged the "recent reportage surrounding my trusteeship" upon his return to Mumbai and hoped his letter would "assist in putting the quietus on speculative news reports that do not serve the interests of the Tata Trusts and are inimical to its vision". According to reports, Mistry's exit follows a disagreement over his reappointment to key trusts. The board ultimately withheld its approval for his reappointment to the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and the Sir Ratan Tata Trust. This decision breaks from the long-observed convention of unanimity within the Trusts.
Mistry's association with Ratan Tata spanned decades, with both sharing Parsi roots and residing in the same Colaba apartment complex. He was viewed as one of Tata's closest allies and a protector of the Tata legacy. When the Tata-Mistry clash erupted in 2016 with the ouster of Cyrus Mistry from chairmanship of Tata Sons, Mehli chose to back Ratan Tata. Mistry's departure marks a turning point for the Trusts, which collectively hold 66% of Tata Sons, the holding company of the $180-billion Tata Group.
Notably, the Tata Trusts have been undergoing a restructuring process to optimize operational and management costs. This includes phasing out the roles of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Operating Officer (COO) and reducing the organization's dependence on external consultants. This cost-saving initiative was set in motion before the appointment of new chairman Noel Tata. An internal audit revealed a notable increase in staffing expenses, reaching approximately Rs 180 crore. The additional expenditures from direct implementation projects contributed to the workforce costs, pushing the total to Rs 400 crore in the years leading up to 2022. These direct implementation projects will also be scaled back to a minimum and retained only to fulfil essential commitments.
Mehli Mistry's exit from the Tata Trusts marks a significant moment in the evolving story of the organization. While Mistry has signaled a willingness to end the ongoing dispute, his departure closes a chapter for the man who once stood guard over Ratan Tata's legacy.
