Ravi Kant retires from Tata Motors

Kant, an alumni of IIT Kharagpur, was the managing director of the company before being promoted as vice-chairman five years ago

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Tata Motors Non-Executive Vice-Chairman Ravi Kant (pictured) retired from India’s biggest automotive company on Saturday at the age of 70.

Kant, an alumnus of IIT-Kharagpur, was managing director of the company before being promoted as vice-chairman five years ago. He, along with Prakash Telang (former MD who retired in 2012), is among the last batch of previous generation senior-level staff with the Mumbai-based company.

“The Board of Directors placed on record their appreciation of the contribution of Ravi Kant during his tenure with the company, including as the managing director from July 29, 2005 to June 1, 2009, and thereafter, as non-executive vice-chairman,” the company stated.  

Kant is credited with the successful and unexpected turnaround of the once struggling luxury units, Jaguar Land Rover, bought from Ford Motor Company in 2008.

Kant also played an instrumental role in the development and subsequent launch of world’s cheapest car Nano six years ago.

Prior to that Kant, a product of Aston University, Birmingham, where he did his master’s degree in management, also championed the development of the Tata Ace, still running as India’s biggest selling mini truck.

After giving up active participation in running the day-to-day affairs of the company in 2009, Kant gradually slipped into the role of a mentor and also a consultant. Kant was also not a part of nine member steering committee formed after the sudden death of Karl Slym, MD, earlier this year.

Ravi Pisharody, Ranjit Yadav, Tim Leverton, Girish Wagh, Raplf Speth are some of the next generation executives who took over the reins of the company.  

Cyrus P Mistry, Chairman, Tata Sons and Tata Motors, said, “On behalf of the Board and Tata Motors I would like to thank Ravi for his valuable contribution in the growth and development of the Company. I wish him all the best for the future.”