Ratan Tata

The Tata Group

It was Ratan Tata's year to grab global headlines. The soft-spoken architect educated in the U.S. at Cornell University has set his $29 billion conglomerate on a scorching global growth path. From picking up steel companies, hotels, coal mines, and tea brands, he is all set to revolutionize the concept of a small car. Tata also made India's largest-ever global acquisition, when he picked up Anglo-Dutch steel maker Corus for $12 billion. And Tata bought out two hotels in the U.S., the Ritz Carlton in Boston and Campton Place in San Francisco. He's emerged as the top bidder for Ford Motor's (F) Jaguar and Land Rover brands. Now all eyes are on Tata as he gears up to display his cherished $2,500 car at the Indian Auto Show in New Delhi in January. And with all Tata's flagship companies having global ambitions, there may be more big-ticket acquisitions for the group in the coming year.