Jaguar Land Rover appoints PB Balaji as their first Indian CEO for the driving seat.
In a significant move for Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), Indian business executive P.B. Balaji has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), set to take over from Adrian Mardell in November 2025. Mardell, who has been with the company for 35 years and served as CEO for three years, has expressed his intention to retire.
Background of P.B. Balaji
Balaji, a well-regarded global leader in the automotive industry, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. He holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai, and a postgraduate diploma in management from the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta.
Balaji began his career with Unilever in 1995, rising to senior corporate finance roles across various countries. He was the CFO of Hindustan Unilever until 2017, when he joined Tata Motors as the CFO. Since 2017, he has served as the Group CFO of Tata Motors, the parent company of JLR.
Appointment as CEO of JLR
Balaji's appointment marks a first for JLR, as he becomes the first Indian to hold the CEO position. He will be responsible for leading the company's ongoing transformation and growth in the automotive sector. Adrian Mardell will assist in the transition process until the end of his contract.
N Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Jaguar Land Rover PLC, Tata Motors, and Tata Sons, led the search for a suitable candidate for the CEO position. The Board of Directors of Jaguar Land Rover approved Balaji's appointment to succeed Mardell as the CEO.
Balaji is familiar with Jaguar Land Rover, having worked with the company for many years. He is looking forward to working with the Jaguar Land Rover team and taking the company to even greater heights.
Jaguar Land Rover has been facing challenges due to tariffs in its largest market, the US, and criticism over a makeover for Jaguar as an electric-only brand. Balaji's appointment is intended to continue the acceleration of Jaguar Land Rover's journey to Reimagine JLR.
[1] Jaguar Land Rover Press Release, [Date] [2] Autocar India, "P.B. Balaji to take over as JLR CEO in 2025", [Date] [3] Tata Motors Press Release, "P.B. Balaji appointed as Group CFO", [Date] [4] Financial Express, "P.B. Balaji to be new CEO of Jaguar Land Rover", [Date]
- Balaji, with his extensive experience in finance and business, will lead Jaguar Land Rover's ongoing transformation and growth in the automotive sector as the first Indian CEO of the company.
- Given his familiarity with Jaguar Land Rover, as a Group CFO since 2017, Balaji is eager to work with the team to take the company further, addressing challenges such as tariffs in the US and the makeover of Jaguar as an electric-only brand.
