OREANDA-NEWS. Harish Bhat, managing director of Tata Global Beverages and the chairman of Tata Coffee, will join Tata Sons as a member of the Group Executive Council (GEC), reporting to the Chairman, Cyrus P Mistry, from April 1, 2014.

Mr Bhat is an alumnus of BITS Pilani and IIM Ahmedabad, graduating top of his class in both Institutions and winning IIM Ahmedabad's gold medal for scholastic excellence. He joined the Tata group in 1987, as an officer in the Tata Administrative Service. In 1997, he won the Chevening Scholarship for Young Managers, awarded by the British Government.

Mr Bhat, in his career of 27 years with the Tata group, has served as the chief operating officer of the watches and accessories business of Titan Company. He has also worked in senior level roles with the jewellery and telecom businesses of the group. He has played a key role in several successful strategic moves over the past two decades, including the launch and nurturing of many iconic brands, as well as the acquisition of Tetley.

Mr Bhat brings rich business experience and will be an invaluable addition to the GEC. The GEC provides strategic and operational support to the Chairman of Tata Sons with the mandate to own and drive the delivery of the core purpose of Tata Sons, which is long-term value creation for all stakeholders. The GEC also works closely with and partners the boards, CEOs and senior management of the various Tata companies.

Mr Bhat is passionate about writing, and is a prolific writer who contributes regularly to various newspapers. In 2012, his first book was published by Penguin. Titled 'Tata Log', the book narrates stories of the modern history of the Tata group.