Carmaker picks new CEO

British carmaker JLR has announced the appointment of PB Balaji as its new chief executive officer from November this year.

The holding company for the Jaguar and Land Rover brands says he will succeed Adrian Mardell, who is retiring after three years as chief executive officer and 35 years with the firm.

Balaji, pictured, has been chief financial officer of the Tata Motors Group, the Indian parent company of JLR, since November 2017.

He has 32 years of experience in the automotive and consumer goods industries across finance and supply chain functions. 

JLR notes he has successfully led large, diverse, global teams in multicultural environments out of India, the UK, Singapore and Switzerland. 

Natarajan Chandrasekaran, chairman of Jaguar Land Rover PLC, Tata Motors and Tata Sons, says: “I am delighted to appoint Balaji as the incoming CEO of the company. 

“The search for a suitable candidate to lead JLR has been undertaken by the board for the past few months and after careful consideration it was decided to appoint Balaji. 

“He has been associated with the company for the past many years and is familiar with the company, its strategy and has been working with the JLR leadership team. 

“This move will ensure that we continue to accelerate our journey to reimagine JLR.”

Balaji adds: “It is my privilege to lead this incredible company. Over the past eight years I have grown to know and love this company and its redoubtable global brands. 

“I look forward to working with the team to take it to even greater heights.”