A Promise Is A Promise
October 25, 2016 Leave a comment
Credit Suisse had offered Tatas a financing package that helped it aggressively outbid its Brazilian rival for Corus Steel in the UK. Once the deal was done, two other MNC banks approached the company’s top brass with a more comfortable funding plan involving cost savings of about $400 million. As Tata Steel weighed in favour of the new funding option, Credit Suisse fetched up with a letter from the Tatas showing its commitment to $120 million in fees whether or not the financing was availed from it.Bombay House top brass was left fuming that a bank had the temerity to place a demand on them. But when the matter was taken up to the then group chairman Ratan Tata, his decision was simple: There was a commitment made to Credit Suisse which must be honoured. Having paid the European bank, Tata Steel went ahead with the cheaper financing option.
Yesterday,ie on 28th of December 2012, on his birthday,when he turned 75, Ratan Tata retired,succeeding on his third try.In 2002, when Tata was to retire at 65, the Tata Sons board promptly re-designated him non-executive chairman, which meant he could continue for another five years.Three years later, the board upped the retirement age of non-executive directors to 75. The message was clear: Ratan Tata was indispensable.And it was not just the board that felt that way. There were loud cries of support from shareholders. As one shareholder put it”We can’t lose our ratan (jewel).”Others asked him to stay on as chairman emeritus. 
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