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S Ramadorai, a doyen of the Indian IT industry, has retired from the board of various Tata companies. This is in accordance with the Tata Group’s retirement policy, which requires non-executive directors to move on after turning 70.
Ramadorai, who celebrated his 70{+t}{+h} birthday on October 6, was the Vice-Chairman at Tata Consultancy Services, Chairman of CMC (a subsidiary of TCS) and Chairman of Tata Elxsi. The three companies have informed investors of Ramadorai’s resignation in separate disclosures to the stock exchanges.
He has also stepped down from the boards of Tata Communications and Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra).
Ramadorai was made TCS’ Vice-Chairman in October 2009 after serving as the company’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director for 14 years. Between 1996 and 2009, TCS grew from a $160 million firm to a $6-billion behemoth. As CEO, Ramadorai is credited for introducing a shift in the leadership style, one which was built around sharing of ideas.
The story of TCS’ rise to the No.1 position in the Indian IT industry was chronicled by Ramdorai in the 2009-book The TCS Story…And Beyond .
Executives, who have worked with him, describe Ramadorai as an effective leader who has an eye for detail. He is also believed to be an expert in spotting talented individuals. The current CEO and MD N Chandrasekaran had started his career as executive assistant to Ram, as he his affably known.
In 2009, Ramadorai became chairman of Tata Elxsi.
The long-distance runner (a regular at Mumbai marathon) dons many a hat. A Carnatic music aficionado, he is also the Chairman of the National Skill Development Agency and the National Skill Development Council. In June 2013, Ramadorai was appointed as Chairman of Air Asia India.
He is also the non-executive Chairman of the Bombay Stock Exchange. Ramadorai was awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire in April 2009. In 2011, the Tata Group had lowered the retirement age for non-executive directors to 70 years from the erstwhile limit of 75.
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