Meet man whose family has Rs 1520560 crore stake in Tata Sons, not Indian, his relation to Ratan Tata is...

Shapoor Mistry is at the helm of the Shapoorji Pallonji Group, a well-established company in engineering and construction that has been operating for 159 years. He shares this extensive family fortune with the family of his late brother, Cyrus Mistry. One of the Mistry family's most valuable assets is their 18.4% stake in Tata Sons, which is the holding company for the massive USD 165 billion Tata Group.

In 2022, Shapoor faced two significant personal losses. In June, his father, Pallonji Mistry, the family patriarch, passed away. Just three months later, in September, Cyrus tragically died in a car accident at the age of 54. Before his untimely death, Cyrus had been collaborating closely with Shapoor to restructure their family's debt-laden business by selling off key assets to stabilize their financial situation.

Who is Shapoor Mistry?
Born in 1964 to Pallonji Mistry and Patsy Perin Dubash, Shapoor Mistry is the eldest son in his family. He has two sisters and one brother, Cyrus, who is no longer with them. With the passing of both his father and brother, Shapoor has taken on the role of leading the Shapoorji Pallonji Group, which is a diversified conglomerate generating approximately USD 30 billion in revenue. The family also retains an 18.41% stake in Tata Sons, which Forbes values at about USD 130 billion.

Despite facing challenges, especially with cash flow and debt repayment, Shapoor has been proactive in restructuring the company. He has involved the next generation in the business, including his son and Cyrus's sons, Firoz and Zahan Mistry, in leadership roles, ensuring the family's legacy continues.

Tata Group Connection with the Mistry Family
The Mistry family's wealth has been tied up in a long-standing legal dispute with the Tata Group, one of the largest conglomerates in India. Pallonji Mistry was often referred to as the "Phantom of Bombay House" due to his subtle yet significant influence at the Tata headquarters. The family's connection to Tata Group gained significant attention in 2012 when Cyrus Mistry was appointed chairman of Tata Group.

However, in 2016, a boardroom conflict arose, primarily initiated by Tata Trusts, resulting in Cyrus being ousted. This event marked the beginning of one of the largest corporate disputes in India's history, ending decades of cooperation between the Mistry and Tata families and leading to ongoing legal battles.

Shapoor Mistry’s Leadership
As the new leader of the family business, Shapoor Mistry has initiated several restructuring efforts to manage their vast empire more effectively. In the fiscal year 2021, he and his late brother had already begun reorganizing by creating two separate entities—S.P. Finance and S.C. Finance—to manage infrastructure and real estate ventures independently. This restructuring effort aimed to improve operational cash flows, particularly as long-term investments in infrastructure and real estate can face timing challenges.

By involving the next generation and restructuring the family business, Shapoor Mistry is positioning the Shapoorji Pallonji Group for future success, despite the emotional and financial challenges that have arisen from the recent losses in his family.