Jaguar Land Rover — now rebranded simply as JLR — has reportedly dismissed its chief creative officer, Gerry McGovern, according to new reporting from Autocar India. McGovern’s sudden exit follows a major leadership change and signals what may be a dramatic shift in direction for both Jaguar and Land Rover.
The move was reportedly made by P.B. Balaji, JLR’s newly appointed CEO, who previously served as CFO of Tata Motors, the company’s parent organization. Balaji took over last month after longtime CEO Adrian Mardell retired, ending a 35-year tenure with the company. Balaji now inherits a brand still recovering from a major cyberattack that shut down production and grappling with delays — including the postponed launch of Jaguar’s $130,000 electric grand tourer.
According to Autocar, McGovern was a central figure behind Jaguar’s controversial all-electric rebrand. His vision included repositioning Jaguar as a limited-production ultra-luxury EV marque aimed at competing with brands like Bentley, a plan that coincided with the unveiling of the polarizing Jaguar Type 00 concept — a design that split fans and analysts alike.
JLR declined to comment on the reported firing when contacted by Car and Driver.
Despite the controversy surrounding his recent work, McGovern’s design legacy at JLR is substantial. Over decades, he shaped some of the brand’s most influential modern vehicles, including:
-
The reborn Land Rover Defender
-
The Range Rover Evoque
-
The Range Rover Velar
His departure leaves JLR at a pivotal moment as new leadership appears ready to rethink Jaguar’s direction, product strategy and place in the luxury market.
