New Tata Sons chief N Chandrasekaran on Tuesday spelt out three broad areas of focus including bringing the group closer together, driving operating performances across the group and bringing greater rigour to capital allocation policies.

Chairing his first board meeting as Chairman of Tata Sons Ltd, the principal investment holding company for more than 100 Tata operating companies, Chandra, as he is popularly known, said: “In my new role, I will focus on three strategic priorities: bring the group closer together to leverage its enormous collective strength; reinforce a leader’s mindset among the operating companies and drive world-class operating performances across the group; bring greater rigour to our capital allocation policies and deliver superior returns to our shareholders.”

Hectic schedule A hectic schedule was in store for Chandra. As early as 7.30 am, he went to a polling booth at Worli Seaface to cast his vote for the Mumbai civic polls. By 9.15 am, he reached Bombay House. Chandra next garlanded group founder JN Tata and former chairman JRD Tata’s busts at Bombay House.

Then, after posing for photographers, he headed for a Tata Sons board meeting chaired by him.

Later in the day, Chandra sent an email to all Tata Group employees, saying that the “Tata code of conduct has been the bedrock of my personal commitment to our value system”.

He said employees need to work together to excel, and to be ranked among the top performers in their respective industries. He also called for relentless focus on customers, by gaining deeper understanding of their aspirations, and by designing products and services to meet their needs.

“With technology playing a key role in business success, the need for innovation is vital to help re-imagine and reinvent our business for the future,” Chandra said.

“A key part of our entrepreneurial DNA has always been our pioneering spirit and ability to lead and not follow. As a group, we have enormous collective strengths,” the letter said.

Chandra has been given the corner office on the right hand side of fourth floor at Bombay House, which was earlier occupied by former Chairman Ratan N Tata.

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