Harish Bhat
About Harish Bhat
Harish Bhat serves as the Brand Custodian at Tata Group and is also a book author at Penguin Random House. With extensive experience in leadership roles across various Tata companies, he emphasizes ethical conduct, community focus, and the importance of emotional connections in branding.
Work at Tata Group
Harish Bhat has served as Brand Custodian at Tata Group since 2014. In this role, he focuses on maintaining and enhancing the Tata brand's reputation. He also holds the position of Chairman of the Board at Tata Coffee Limited since the same year. Bhat has been involved in various initiatives that emphasize the Tata brand's commitment to community, pioneering efforts, and excellence. He serves as a director on the boards of multiple Tata Group companies, including Trent, Tata Starbucks, Croma, Tata AIA Life Insurance, and Tata Unistore.
Education and Expertise
Harish Bhat completed his Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, from 1980 to 1985. He later pursued a Post Graduate Diploma in Management at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, where he was awarded the IIMA Gold Medal in 1987. His educational background has equipped him with expertise in management and engineering, contributing to his roles in various organizations.
Professional Experience
Prior to his current roles, Harish Bhat was the Managing Director and CEO of Tata Consumer Products from 2012 to 2014. He also worked at TITAN COMPANY LIMITED as Chief Operating Officer for the Watches & Accessories Business from 2006 to 2012. His extensive experience in leadership positions has provided him with insights into brand management and operational excellence.
Achievements and Recognition
Harish Bhat has been recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice in 2019, highlighting his influence and contributions to discussions on branding and marketing. His writings and columns reflect his passion for marketing and his commitment to ethical conduct and quality in brand management. He has also been involved in initiatives that drive socio-economic change through sports sponsorships, showcasing his dedication to community engagement.
Contributions to Brand Development
Harish Bhat emphasizes the importance of building brands on simple, relevant, compelling, and timeless ideas. He has spoken about the significance of ethical conduct in establishing brand trust and the need for creating emotional connections with the public through consistent actions. His insights into the Tata brand's ethos of 'leadership with trust' and its support for sports as a transformative force reflect his strategic approach to brand development.