Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas Mumbai partner Shuva Mandal is set to become the top general counsel (GC) of Tata Sons, the holding company of India’s largest conglomerate, replacing its long-serving GC Bharat Vasani, according to two authoritative sources.
Vasani had been GC at the Tata Group since 2000.
We have not been able to confirm the exact timing of Mandal’s joining at the time of publication.
Update 20:26: We understand that he will likely be joining in the coming months.
Mandal had had joined Shardul Amarchand from AZB as the firm’s national M&A head in September 2015. He is an NLSIU Bangalore alumnus, having joined AZB directly after graduating in 2000.
Mandal had been instructed late last year to advise Tata Sons on its spat with ousted chairman Cyrus Mistry, alongside Karanjawala & Co.
Mandal’s links with the Tatas stem from his AZB days under managing partner Zia Mody, where he handled much of the group’s M&A and corporate work, such as its 2013 joint venture with Singapore Airlines.
We have reached out to Shardul Amarchand Mumbai managing partner and Mandal for comment.
Update 18:29: We have reached out to Vasani for comment.
The Tata Group has around 660,000 employees globally, with dozens of subsidiary companies with their own respective GCs.
Update 20:57: The Tatas have confirmed the news, with the Economic Times carrying the following quotes:
Chairman N Chandrasekaran said, “Mr. Mandal brings wide-ranging legal experience and energy into this important role as the Group General Counsel. His time spent at India’s top legal firms have given him a ringside view of different legal strategies and his long experience of working with multiple Tata companies in the past will hold him in good stead in his new role.” He further added, “Vasani will continue to advise the group to ensure a smooth transition.”
Shuva Mandal while reacting to the news said, “It has always been an enriching and learning experience working with the Tata group as an advisor, and now I look forward to playing a bigger role under the guidance of Mr. Chandrasekaran and his new team. These are exciting times for the Tata group and I look forward to contributing to its future growth.”
To be updated.