London, July 31, 2025 – Jaguar Land Rover CEO Adrian Mardell since late 2022, has announced that he will retire at the end of December 2025. After 35 years with the company, including three years at the top, he is leaving. In due time, a successor will be revealed.
From Finance Expert to Executive Leader
Mardell began working for JLR in 1990 and progressed through financial positions before being appointed Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in June 2019 and then CEO in November 2022. In mid-2023, he was formally appointed CEO for a three-year term.
Jaguar Land Rover CEO Adrian Mardell (Transformation)
- Under Mardell’s direction, JLR eliminated about £5 billion in debt, produced its best financial performance in ten years, and maintained steady profitability.
- Additionally, he established the “House of Brands” strategy, which gave Jaguar, Range Rover, Defender, and Discovery unique identities.
- Most notably, he led Jaguar’s radical rebranding, which included the removal of the iconic “leaper” logo, the introduction of the cutting-edge Type 00 concept, and daring marketing campaigns like the much-discussed “Barbie pink” electric vehicle commercial.
Challenges and Changing Context
Even with the financial recovery, JLR faced several obstacles under Mardell:
- U.S. import tariff disruptions caused export halts prior to a lower tariff agreement.
- Due to US shipment delays and the retirement of Jaguar models, sales fell 15% in the April–June quarter.
The Financial Times - polarizing public response to Jaguar’s stylistic shift, which was defended internally as “fearlessly creative” but received criticism from individuals like Nigel Farage and Elon Musk.
What’s Next for JLR?
The official last day of Mardell’s is December 31, 2025.
He departs JLR with more stability, but his successor—who has not yet been named—will have to steer the company’s transition to an all-electric luxury brand, with Jaguar models anticipated to sell for over £100,000, while negotiating trade and geopolitical challenges.
When asked about his tenure, Mardell told Autocar, “I don’t see anything that is going to concern me about the success of the new Jaguar in this new world at all, given the state of the market today.”
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Adrian Mardell |
| Role | CEO, Jaguar Land Rover |
| CEO Term | Nov 2022 – Dec 2025 |
| Total Tenure at JLR | 35 years (joined in 1990) |
| Major Achievements | Revamped brand image, highest profit in a decade |
| Notable Controversy | Rebrand campaign and “Barbie pink” EV ad |
| Departure Reason | Retirement planned after 3-year term |
| Last Day | December 31, 2025 |
| Successor | To be announced |
This concludes a significant chapter for JLR under the leadership of Adrian Mardell, a seasoned financial and strategic leader who revolutionized the company at a critical juncture.
