TCS COO Aarthi Subramanian Says Tata Boardroom Drama Has No Ripple Effect on Business

When asked whether the simmering boardroom dispute at the Tata Group was unsettling customers or slowing down projects, Aarthi Subramanian – TCS’s executive director, president and chief operating officer – smiled and shook her head. “There have been absolutely no concerns from anyone,” she told Business Standard, adding that neither she nor CEO K Krithivasan have fielded any questions about the feud.

Over the past few weeks, the media has been buzzing about a clash between Tata Sons chairman N. Chandrasekaran and Tata Trusts chairman Noel Tata. The disagreement, centered on the future leadership of the $185 billion conglomerate and the possible public listing of Tata Sons, has highlighted the peculiar ownership structure where the Trusts hold a 66 % stake but occupy only a third of the board’s seats.

In practical terms, Subramanian said the dust‑up has stayed firmly in the boardroom. “We’ve met a lot of customers this quarter – both on the ground and at our offices – and none have raised any issue about what’s happening upstairs,” she explained. “Our engagements, contracts and pipelines continue as usual.”

The tension dates back to August when Chandrasekaran, who has steered the group since 2017 after Cyrus Mistry’s ouster, did not initially put his name forward for a third term. A month later, the board re‑appointed him, a move that was backed by four directors but opposed by Noel Tata, who called the decision “illegal.” The Trusts have since enlisted senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi, while Tata Sons is represented by Harish Salve.

Adding another layer, Noel Tata has publicly voiced reservations about a Tata Sons listing, whereas fellow Trust nominee Venu Srinivasan of TVS Motor Company, once against the idea, now supports it. The tug‑of‑war has prompted speculation about a wider governance crisis in India’s iconic conglomerate.

Nevertheless, Subramanian’s reassurance underscores a common corporate reality: unless a boardroom fight spills over into service delivery or pricing, it often remains a behind‑the‑scenes matter. “Our focus stays on delivering value to clients, and that hasn’t changed,” she concluded.