Noel Tata, late industrialist Ratan Tata's half-brother, is the potential front-runner to manage Tata Group companies after Ratan's demise. Ratan, who passed away aged 86 on Wednesday, had no children. Noel's children Maya (currently on Tata Medical Centre Trust's board), Neville (who leads Star Bazaar) and Leah (who manages Indian Hotel Company's operations) may take charge in future.