Jaguar Land Rover appoints Tata Motors CFO PB Balaji as new CEO

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has named PB Balaji, the group CFO of Tata Motors, as its next chief executive, effective from mid-November 2025. Balaji will succeed Adrian Mardell, who retires after 35 years at the company, including the past three years as CEO.

The appointment signals closer integration between the British OEM and its parent group and comes as JLR continues its long-term electrification and restructuring plans.

Balaji has become the first Indian national and Tata Motors executive to lead the UK-based carmaker since its acquisition of JLR in 2008.

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He has served as Tata Motors CFO since 2017 and has been a board member at JLR for the same period. Before joining Tata Group, he spent over two decades at Unilever, where he held senior roles in finance, planning and supply chain. This included a stint as VP Finance for Unilever Americas Supply Chain, overseeing a global supply chain and financial operations across a large-scale.

Company Chairman N. Chandrasekaran noted, “He has been associated with the company for many years and is familiar with the company, its strategy, and has been working with the JLR leadership team.”

Logistics and supply chain in the spotlight

Balaji’s appointment brings both financial oversight and operational understanding during a crucial era for JLR.

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The company is ramping up preparations to launch its first new electric Jaguar in 2026 and electrify its full vehicle range by 2030. It is also investing in UK-based battery production through parent Tata Group’s gigafactory initiative, which will require new supplier partnerships, inbound logistics flows and cost models.

JLR also continues to face pressure in the form of EV programme delays, rising tariffs and regulatory shifts, especially in the US market where import costs and political turmoil have impacted sales volumes.

Balaji’s experience in global operations and supply chain finance could support further alignment in navigating these external pressures and building more agile and regionalised supply networks as the OEM progresses with its ‘Reimagine’ strategy.

Executive transitions and operational focus

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The leadership transition follows a period of stability under Adrian Mardell, who guided JLR through post-pandemic disruptions, early phases of electrification, and recent profitability gains. Mardell became interim JLR boss in late 2022 after his predecessor, Thierry Bolloré, resigned two years into the role following a string of financial losses.

“These three years have been a great privilege. Together with the incredible JLR workforce, we have cemented JLR’s position in the automotive industry during a time of incredible change. I would like to thank everyone in JLR and the extended Tata Group, and wish Balaji every success in his new role,” Mardell said in a press statement this week.

In parallel with Balaji’s appointment, JLR has also promoted Nigel Blenkinsop to the role of chief transformation officer.

Blenkinsop, who previously served as executive director of enterprise performance and quality, will oversee transformation and delivery across JLR’s operational programmes. He will report directly to Balaji once the CEO transition is complete.