Jaguar Land Rover names Tata Motors CFO as new CEO

Jaguar Land Rover has appointed PB Balaji, currently group chief financial officer of Tata Motors, as its next chief executive. Balaji will assume the role in mid-November 2025, succeeding Adrian Mardell, who retires after a 35-year career with the company.

The appointment marks the first time an Indian national and Tata Motors executive has taken the helm of the UK-based automaker since its acquisition by Tata Group in 2008. It also signals a tighter alignment between JLR and its parent company at a time when the carmaker is undergoing a major strategic transformation.

Balaji has served as Tata Motors CFO since 2017 and has been a member of JLR’s board for the same period.

Before joining Tata, he spent more than two decades at Unilever in senior finance and supply chain roles, including as vice president of finance for its Americas supply chain operations. His experience spans corporate finance, global operations, and supply chain optimization, capabilities that JLR is betting on as it enters an intense phase of restructuring and electrification.

N. Chandrasekaran, chairman of Tata Sons, said Balaji’s deep knowledge of JLR’s operations and strategy made him a natural fit for the role.

“He has been associated with the company for many years and is familiar with its strategy. This move will ensure we continue to accelerate our journey to Reimagine JLR,” Chandrasekaran said, referring to the company’s ongoing transformation plan.

The leadership transition comes as JLR prepares to launch its first fully electric Jaguar in 2026 and electrify its entire range by 2030.

The company is also investing in battery production through Tata Group’s UK gigafactory initiative, a project expected to reshape supplier networks, cost models, and logistics.

Balaji’s background in supply chain finance positions him to address these operational challenges while aligning the automaker’s regional supply networks with shifting tariff regimes and regulatory demands, particularly in the US.

JLR continues to face headwinds, including delays in electric vehicle programs, rising trade barriers, and evolving regulatory landscapes. Political instability and higher import costs have pressured sales volumes in key markets.

Balaji will be tasked with navigating these external factors while driving profitability and accelerating the company’s electrification agenda.

The leadership change follows a period of stability under Mardell, who guided JLR through pandemic disruptions, early electrification efforts, and a return to profitability.

“Together with the incredible JLR workforce, we have cemented JLR’s position in the automotive industry during a time of incredible change,” Mardell said in a statement, adding that he was confident in Balaji’s ability to lead the company through its next phase.

Alongside Balaji’s appointment, JLR has promoted Nigel Blenkinsop to chief transformation officer. Blenkinsop, formerly executive director of enterprise performance and quality, will oversee transformation and operational delivery, reporting directly to Balaji once the CEO transition is complete.

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