British automaker Jaguar Land Rover’s chief creative officer, Gerry McGovern, has left the company in what appears to be an unceremonious exit, marking another high-profile leadership departure after CEO Adrian Mardell’s retirement in August this year, according to a report by Autocar India.
McGovern’s departure comes close on the heels of PB Balaji assuming the CEO role on November 17, 2025, following a planned leadership handover from Mardell. Industry insiders say the move signals a significant shift in the post-transition leadership framework under Balaji.
A brief overview of McGovern’s tenure
McGovern’s tenure saw both celebrated highs and polarising decisions, most notably Jaguar’s rebranding under the Panthera project, a strategic shift intended to reposition Jaguar as a modern luxury marque. The transition drew heavy criticism for abandoning core elements of Jaguar’s historic brand language.
McGovern contribution to nameplates
Until his exit, McGovern spent multiple decades with the brand, including a return to Land Rover in 2004 as advanced design director and later a promotion to chief creative officer in 2020. He shaped some of the company’s most commercially successful nameplates, like the Range Rover Evoque, Velar and the modern Defender line-up, which has helped the brand with global appeal.
The company is yet to officially confirm circumstances surrounding his exit.