Mumbai, June 2: Tata Motors today announced that non-executive vice-chairman Ravi Kant had retired from the company on May 31.

Kant retired on attaining the age of 70 in keeping with the group’s policy.

“On behalf of the board and Tata Motors I would like to thank Ravi for his valuable contribution in the growth and development of the company. I wish him all the best for the future,” Tata Motors chairman Cyrus P. Mistry said.

Kant had a fruitful 15 years at Tata Motors during which he has been credited with various achievements. Handpicked by former executive group chairman Ratan Tata, Kant has been with the company since February 1999. He had joined as senior vice-president (commercial vehicles) and was inducted into the board as an executive director in July 2000. He became the managing director in July 2005.

On retiring from his executive position on June 1, 2009 in line with the group’s policy, Kant was on the company’s board as vice-chairman.

Before joining Tata Motors, Kant was with Philips India Ltd as director of consumer electronics business. Prior to that, he was senior executive director (marketing) at LML Ltd and vice-president (sales & marketing) at Titan Watches Ltd.

Kant played an important role in the acquisition of Daewoo Commercial Vehicle Company in 2004.