Shantanu Naidu has taken on a new role as General Manager, Head – Strategic Initiatives at Tata Motors. Sharing the news on LinkedIn, he reflected on his childhood memories of his father working at Tata Motors, calling it a “full-circle” moment.
An automobile design engineer, Naidu first gained recognition in 2014 for developing an innovation to protect stray dogs from speeding vehicles. His work caught the attention of Ratan Tata, who not only invested in the project but also became his mentor, boss, and close friend.
In 2018, Naidu joined Ratan Tata as his assistant, and their unique friendship has since drawn widespread admiration. A heartwarming video of him singing a birthday song for Tata went viral, showcasing their close bond.
Naidu completed his engineering from Savitribai Phule Pune University in 2014 and pursued an MBA from Cornell University in 2016. He later authored I Came Upon a Lighthouse, a book offering a personal and light-hearted insight into his journey with Ratan Tata, beyond his corporate achievements.
Their friendship extends beyond business, with Ratan Tata reportedly waiving Naidu’s education loan in his will. Tata also relinquished his ownership in Goodfellows, a venture Naidu launched in 2021 to provide companionship to elderly individuals in India.
Naidu’s journey from an inspired young engineer to a key leader at Tata Motors stands as a testament to his hard work and the enduring mentorship of Ratan Tata.
