Shantanu Naidu becomes General Manager, Head – Strategic Initiatives at Tata Motors

Shantanu Naidu has become General Manager, Head – Strategic Initiatives at Tata Motors.

“I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as General Manager, Head – Strategic Initiatives at Tata Motors! I remember when my father used to walk home from the Tata Motors plant in his white shirt and navy pants, and I would wait for him in the window. It comes full circle now,” Naidu wrote on LinkedIn.

Shantanu Naidu, an automobile design engineer, developed an innovation in 2014 to protect homeless dogs from speeding cars. Ratan Tata, known for his love for strays, noticed his work. Tata not only invested in the project but also became a mentor, boss and close friend to Shantanu.

Shantanu Naidu completed his engineering degree from Savitribai Phule Pune University in 2014 and earned his MBA from Cornell University in 2016.

In his book, I Came Upon a Lighthouse, Shantanu shared a personal and light-hearted account of their unlikely friendship, moving beyond Tata’s business legacy.

Naidu told Tata that he wanted to write about their adventures and unseen aspects of his personality rather than just historic milestones. Tata agreed, saying no single book could capture everything.

The unique friendship between a millennial and the industry legend offers a warm and humanised glimpse into Ratan Tata’s life beyond the corporate world.

Shantanu Naidu in Ratan Tata’s will

Ratan Tata reportedly gave up ownership in Goodfellows, a venture started by Shantanu Naidu in 2021 to help elderly people living alone in India. He also waived off Naidu’s education loan in his will.

(This is a developing story. Check back for more updates.)