Dr. J. J. Irani, Director, Tata Sons
An alumnus of Nagpur University and University of Sheffield (PhD), Dr. Irani began his career in 1963 as senior scientific officer at the British Iron and Steel Research Association (BISRA), Sheffield in UK. On his return to India in 1968, he joined Tata Steel as assistant to director (R&D). He rose to become the General Manager in 1979, President in 1985 and the Managing Director in 1992, a position he held till July 2001. For his outstanding contributions to the industry and society at large, Dr. Irani has been honoured with Padma Bhushan (2007), Honorary Knighthood, KBE (1997), Lifetime Achievement Awards from Indian National Academy of Engineering (2002), Indian Institute of Metals (2008) and Ernst and Young (2001). He is an elected fellow of Indian National Academy of Engineering, Indian Academy of Sciences and Royal Academy of Engineering, UK. Dr. Irani has also been awarded the Qimpro Platinum Standard in November 2000, and has received the Indian Merchants' Chamber's Juran Quality Medal for the year 2001, for his role as a statesman for quality. Dr. Irani is the past president of Indian Institute of Metals (1985-86) and Confederation of Indian Industry, CII (1992-93) and a very close associate of Dr. Dara Antia.