Tata Sons former Director, R. Krishnakumar, dies at 84; Ratan Tata said, “words can’t describe the pain”
Tata Group veteran and Ratan Tata’s close confidant R.K. Krishnakumar passed away in Mumbai on Sunday (January 1) due to cardiac arrest. He was 84. He served as a director for Tata Sons, the Tata Group’s holding company. For several years he was the vice chairman of India Hotels Company Ltd. (IHCL).
He previously served as the head of Tata Global Beverages and was instrumental in the acquisition of the global tea company Tetley in 2000, which helped Tata Global Beverages become a major player in the beverages industry.
In 2009, the central government awarded Kumar the fourth highest civilian honour Padma Shri for his contributions to Indian Trade and industry. He retired as a board member of Tata Sons in 2013. Remembering his colleague, Ratan Tata said, “Words cannot describe the loss I feel at the passing away of my friend and colleague Shri RK Krishnakumar.
I will always remember the comrade we shared within the group and personally. He was a true legend of the Tata group & Tata Trusts and will be greatly missed by all.” N Chandrasekaran, the current chairman of Tata Sons, also condoled Krishnakumar’s “immense contribution” to the Tata group.
Chandrasekaran said that “I had the good fortune of knowing him and what stood out was his deep sense of compassion as a human being. He always wanted to help the less privileged and positively impact their lives. We pray for his departed soul and will sorely miss him.”
R Krishnakumar story
Krishnakumar was born in Thalassery, Kerala. His father’s name was Sukumaran and his mother’s name was Sarojini. He did his schooling at Madras Christian College Higher Secondary School in Tamil Nadu. Where his father was working as the Police Commissioner. His graduation was done at Loyola College, Chennai. After this, he obtained his master’s degree from Presidency College, Chennai with applaud marks.
He was considered a part of Ratan Tata’s core business strategy team. Krishnakumar was active with the Tata Trusts after he retired from executive roles and was reportedly part of the team that worked with Ratan Tata in the Cyrus Mistry ouster. Krishnakumar’s last rites will be performed at Chandanwadi cremation ground here on Monday (January 2) at 4.30 pm.