Mumbai, Dec 18 (IANS): Cyrus P. Mistry will take over as chairman of Tata Sons Dec 28, 2012, when current chairman Ratan Tata retires, the holding company of the Tata Group announced Tuesday.

"The board of directors of Tata Sons today (Tuesday) announced the appointment of Cyrus Mistry as the chairman of the board after Ratan Tata retires on December 28," the company said in a statement.

According to the statement, the company's board conferred on Ratan Tata the honorary title of Chairman Emeritus.

Mistry has been serving on the board of Tata Sons since 2006, and was appointed in November last year successor to Ratan Tata, who has been chairman since 1991.

Tata Sons Limited is a promoter of the key companies of the Tata Sons and holds the bulk of shareholding in these companies like Tata Industries, Tata Steel, Tata Power, Tata Teleservices, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Tata Motors, Tata Global Beverages and Indian Hotels.

Mistry, 44, is the younger son of construction magnate Pallonji Shapoorji Mistry, who holds an 18.5 per cent stake in Tata Sons, making him the single largest shareholder. He is married to Rohika Chagla, daughter of eminent lawyer Iqbal Chagla.

Cyrus's one sister is married to Noel Tata, Ratan Tata's half-brother.