Ratan Tata's aide appointed as general manager at Tata Motors
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Shantanu Naidu, widely known as Ratan Tata’s close aide, has taken on a new role as General Manager and Head of Strategic Initiatives at Tata Motors.
Announcing his appointment in an emotional LinkedIn post, Naidu reflected on his journey and personal connection to the company.
"I'm happy to share that I'm starting a new position as General Manager, Head - Strategic Initiatives at Tata Motors!" he wrote. "I remember when my father used to walk home from the Tata Motors plant in his white shirt and navy pants, and I would wait for him in the window. It comes full circle now."
Naidu, a design engineer by profession, graduated from Savitribai Phule Pune University in 2014 before pursuing an MBA at Cornell University in 2016. His association with Ratan Tata began in 2018 when he became his assistant. Their friendship soon gained widespread attention, especially after a viral video showed Naidu singing a birthday song for the business tycoon.
His journey with Tata started in 2014 when he designed an innovation to protect stray dogs from road accidents. His initiative caught Ratan Tata’s attention, leading to an investment in the project and the beginning of a deep mentor-mentee relationship. This bond inspired Naidu’s book, I Came Upon a Lighthouse, where he offers a unique, personal perspective on Tata’s life beyond business.
In 2021, Naidu founded Goodfellows, a startup focused on providing companionship to elderly people living alone in India. Ratan Tata, a supporter of the initiative, reportedly waived Naidu’s education loan in his will and relinquished his stake in the company as a final act of generosity.
Following Ratan Tata’s passing on October 9, 2024, at the age of 86, Naidu shared a heartfelt tribute on LinkedIn. "The hole that this friendship has now left with me, I will spend the rest of my life trying to fill. Grief is the price to pay for love. Goodbye, my dear lighthouse," he wrote.
With his new role at Tata Motors, Naidu continues his professional journey within the Tata Group, carrying forward the values and legacy of his late mentor.