UditVani, Jamshedpur : Somerville College, University of Oxford, has announced that Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, has been elected as a Foundation Fellow—one of the highest honours the College bestows for philanthropy.
The election, made by outgoing Principal Baroness Jan Royall and the Governing Body of Somerville College in summer 2025, was celebrated in a ceremony on 23rd September 2025.
The event was attended by Professor Irene Tracey, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, India’s High Commissioner HE Vikram Doraiswami, Mr Varun Chandra, the UK Prime Minister’s Special Adviser on Business and Investment, and numerous distinguished colleagues from the Tata Group and Oxford.
Chandrasekaran, popularly known as Chandra, was recognised for his pivotal role in establishing Somerville College’s new flagship teaching and learning hub, the Ratan Tata Building, named in honour of his mentor, philanthropist Ratan Tata.
The building will house the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development (OICSD), which has been spearheading research on sustainability and development challenges affecting India and the world since 2013.
Catherine Royle, Principal of Somerville College, said, “Chairman Chandrasekaran exemplifies the power of meritocracy, intellect, and hard work. This well-deserved honour recognises his significant contribution to the enduring partnership between Somerville College, OICSD, and the Tata Group.”
Chandrasekaran expressed his appreciation, stating, “Somerville College has been a quiet yet powerful force addressing some of the world’s most pressing social challenges for nearly 150 years. Their work resonates deeply with the values of our business and the vision of Mr Ratan Tata. I am confident that this partnership will continue to grow, tackling critical environmental and social issues together.”
A graduate of Coimbatore Institute of Technology (BSc in Applied Sciences) and the National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli (MCA), Chandrasekaran has devoted his career to advancing the Tata Group. From leading Tata Consultancy Services to chairing key Tata subsidiaries, he now serves as Chairman of Tata Sons and the Tata Group, India’s largest business conglomerate.
