Ratan Tata, a giant of global industry, has died at 86

Ratan Tata, who has died at the age of 86, was a giant of global industry whose interests included cars, steel, hotels, travel and tea. But he was also hailed as a visionary whose work went far beyond the business world, through his company’s commitment to social causes.

As the head of Tata Group, an Indian business empire founded over 150 years ago, Tata became deeply intertwined with India’s corporate growth and societal development. And he was instrumental in expanding the group’s global presence.

One of his most notable achievements was buying the British tea company Tetley for £271 million in 2000, making Tata one of the largest tea companies in the world.

It was a bold step towards transforming the Tata group from an Indian powerhouse into a global player. So too was the acquisition of Jaguar Land Rover in 2008.

Despite the motoring company’s financial struggles at the time, Tata saw potential in the British brand. He oversaw significant investment in technology and design, and his gamble paid off. New models gained global recognition and Tata Motors became a major force in motoring.

Yet another defining moment in Ratan Tata’s leadership was the US$12 billion purchase of Corus Steel in 2007, one of the largest takeovers in Indian corporate history.

Although the deal presented challenges, including fluctuating steel prices and economic downturns, it underscored Ratan Tata’s strategic vision of expanding the company’s global footprint – and his ability to see beyond short-term gains and focus on long-term growth for the group.

Not all of his plans worked out of course. He was heavily involved in the creation of the Tata Nano, which came out in 2008 and was supposed to be a car that was an affordable and safer