What does a teenage war story, a gold medal from IIM, and a lifelong love for coffee have in common? Harish Bhat
Few business leaders in India have blended strategy with soul quite like Harish Bhat. Over a remarkable career spanning close to four decades, he has not only helped shape some of the most iconic brands within the Tata Group, but has also emerged as one of the country’s most loved business storytellers. His journey—rooted in middle-class values, enriched by intellectual curiosity, and driven by an enduring love for writing—is a masterclass in how creativity and leadership can co-exist. This is the story of Harish Bhat: corporate director, marketer, author, and above all, a man who believes in the power of stories to move people, and people to move business.
Chapter 1 – The Boy with a Remington
In the bustling temple town of Madurai, a young boy sat hunched over a Remington typewriter, crafting tales inspired by the world around him. Harish Bhat’s early years were a mosaic of experiences, moving across cities like Coimbatore, Salem, Madurai, Mumbai and Kollam, thanks to his father’s transferable job in a public sector bank. These relocations instilled in him adaptability and a deep appreciation for India’s diverse cultures.
At 14, Harish’s storytelling prowess was recognised when he won a prize in the Shankar’s International Writing Competition for a short story titled “The Bridge”, which was inspired by the 1971 Indo-Pak war. This early accolade was a harbinger of his future as a storyteller. In the years that followed, he wrote middles for the Indian Express and Times of India newspapers, and articles for his school magazines as well.
Chapter 2 – The Scholar’s journey
Harish’s academic journey led him to BITS Pilani, where he pursued Electrical & Electronics Engineering (popularly called EEE). At BITS Pilani, he also served as the President of the Students’ Union and as Secretary of the English Language Activities Society. His fluent storytelling came to the forefront when he represented BITS Pilani at the popular “Just a Minute” extempore speaking competitions. His quest for knowledge then took him to the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, where he graduated at the top of his class in 1987, winning the prestigious IIMA gold medal for scholastic excellence. A decade later, his commitment to continuous learning was recognised when he was selected for the British Chevening scholarship for young managers.
Chapter 3 – The Tata Odyssey
In 1987, Harish embarked on a journey with the Tata group through the Tata Administrative Service. Over the next 36 years, he donned multiple hats, including the following :
- Chief Operating Officer of Titan’s watches and jewellery businesses.
- Managing Director of Tata Global Beverages (now called Tata Consumer Products)
- Brand Custodian of Tata Sons
- Chairman of Tata Coffee Ltd.
During his tenure in the Tata group, he participated in the achievement of several milestones, including the successful turnaround of the jewellery business and the acquisition of Tetley. Harish’s strategic insights and leadership played a pivotal role in shaping the narrative of the Tata brand. He contributed to the development and nurturing of iconic brands of the Tata group, such as Tanishq, Fastrack, Sonata, Titan, Tata Tea and Chakra Gold Tea.
In 2017, he was honoured with the “Champion of Excellence” award by the Advertising Agencies Association of India.
In 2022 and 2023, Forbes listed him amongst the top ten most influential Chief Marketing Officers in the world.
Chapter 4 – The Storyteller emerges
Parallel to his corporate journey, Harish nurtured his passion for writing. He authored several books, including –
- Tata Log : Eight modern stories from a timeless Institution.
- #Tata Stories: 40 Timeless Tales to Inspire You
- Jamsetji Tata : powerful learnings for corporate success.
- An extreme love of coffee : a novel.
- The Curious Marketer : Expeditions in branding and consumer behaviour
As of date, Harish has published seven books, including four national bestsellers. Some of these books offer readers a window into the Tata group’s rich history, blending corporate insights with compelling narratives. Other books span the diverse genres of marketing, fiction and poetry.
Harish’s posts on LinkedIn, which are full of wit, warmth and wisdom, are followed by around 200,000 professionals, making him one of India’s most beloved business storytellers. His popular monthly columns on marketing have appeared in the Hindu Business Line newspaper for the past 15 years.
Chapter 5 – The legacy continues
Even after his retirement from a full-time corporate role in December 2023, Harish’s association with the Tata group endures. He continues to serve as a Director on the boards of some Tata group companies, including Trent Ltd., Croma and Tata Starbucks. He is also a much sought after keynote speaker for corporate and other events.
Beyond the boardroom, Harish remains an influential voice, chronicling everything from marketing lessons hidden in everyday life to heartwarming tales about travel, childhood memories, coffee and tea.
Chapter 6 – At PRC 2025
In 2025, Harish joins the inaugural fireside chat the Phygital Retail Convention (PRC) – Frontlines of the Infinite : steering the new retail order.
Alongside Shiv Shivakumar and B.S. Nagesh, Harish will explore the tectonic shifts shaping India’s retail landscape – from digital acceleration and changing consumption to brand trust, talent and leadership. Anchored in many years of experience, long-term vision and purposeful innovation, this conversation sets the tone for a future-forward PRC.
Epilogue – The Man behind the Stories
Harish Bhat’s journey is a testament to the power of creative energy married at the hip to focus and determination. His two abiding passions – marketing and storytelling – shine bright throughout his career.
Harish lives in Bangalore, with his wife Veena, who is a data scientist. They have a daughter, Gayatri, who has embarked on her professional career. Harish loves food, fitness and colourful shirts.
From a young schoolboy with a Remington to a corporate changemaker, his life underscores the importance of curiosity, empathy, adaptability, and, above all, the magic of a well told story. In a world that is increasingly driven by metrics, Harish Bhat reminds us that stories move people and people move businesses.
