NAME: R.K. KRISHNA KUMAR AGE: 68 DESIGNATION: Director STATE: Tata Sons

Within the Tata Group, R.K. Krishna Kumar is reputed to be the man who is closest to Ratan Tata. Apart from being one of Tata's most trusted lieutenants, he has the "eyes and ears" of the Chairman. Kumar is the consummate deal maker in the group today and has been involved in some of the most significant acquisitions that the Tatas have executed in the recent past-the most recent example, of course, being Indian Hotel's $170-million (Rs 765-crore) buyout of the Ritz-Carlton in Boston. Just a few months ago, Kumar was in the news when Tata Tea acquired a 30 per cent stake in Glaceau for $677 million (Rs 3,046.5 crore). In June last year, when Indian Hotels bought over The Pierre in New York, Kumar was also deeply involved in the deal.

Kumar, who joined the Tata Administrative Service in 1963, has had long stints within the group in the tea, coffee and hotels businesses. KK, as he is referred to by colleagues and close friends, is a fairly low-profile man, though his position in the group is never in doubt. His involvement with the plantation business began in 1982 when he joined the South India Plantation as its Vice President. This was followed by his elevation to Tata Tea in 1988 as Joint Managing Director; he became MD three years later. He then moved to Indian Hotels as its Managing Director.

Kumar was also in the news recently when Infinity Retail, a Tata Sons subsidiary, announced plans to launch a chain of consumer electronics stores under the "Croma" brand name. Those who have known him closely say that he's very persistent and never ever gives up. Apart from this, he is on great terms with his bosses and those who work under him. His management style is about loyalty and he is said to be a great believer in that. In an earlier interview with BT, Kumar had said that the Tata Group was in the process of morphing. "We see cutting-edge investments, be it in Tata Indica, which has cut through the clutter and become a best selling car, or in pushing our boundaries in the tea and coffee businesses. We are transforming industries today," he had said. For now, the deal maker is on the lookout for more deals.

-Krishna Gopalan