Harvard names new building after Indian family business head

He heads one of India’s largest conglomerates and is credited with transforming the family business from a $6 billion company to a $100 billion firm. But now Ratan Tata, head of Tata Group, has one more feather to add to his cap. He will have a new building at Harvard Business School named after him.

Tata Hall, a seven storey, arc-shaped glass and brick building, will be used exclusively by students of the school’s executive education programmes, said a statement.

The move isn’t very surprising considering Ratan, a top family business leader, was also a student at Harvard Business School. He graduated in 1975 from its advanced management programme.

Tata Hall is scheduled for completion by December 2013, said the school.

Mumbai-based Tata Group was founded in 1868 by Jamsedji Tata as a small company trading in cotton. Fifth-generation Ratan has led the business since 1991 and is expected to retire at the end of next year.