JLR's leadership succession
Tata veteran Balaji to lead JLR as Mardell steps down
Indian automotive giant promotes longtime CFO to lead British luxury brands through electrification push as retiring CEO delivers record financial performance
Jaguar Land Rover has appointed P.B. Balaji as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective November 2025, as the Tata Motors subsidiary seeks to maintain momentum in its ambitious transformation programme. The appointment of the Group's Chief Financial Officer represents an internal succession that highlights the parent company's confidence in its existing leadership pipeline.
Balaji succeeds Adrian Mardell, whose retirement after three years at the helm caps a 35-year career with the company. Under Mardell's stewardship, JLR has delivered what Tata leadership describes as record financial results whilst navigating the industry's most turbulent period in decades.
Chairman praises turnaround architect
The transition reflects careful succession planning by Tata's board, which has been evaluating candidates for several months. N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Jaguar Land Rover PLC, Tata Motors and Tata Sons, emphasised the strategic continuity the appointment represents.
"I would like to thank Adrian for the stellar turnaround of JLR and for delivering record results. I am delighted to appoint Balaji as the incoming CEO of the company. The search for a suitable candidate to lead JLR has been undertaken by the Board for the past few months and after careful consideration it was decided to appoint Balaji.
"He has been associated with the Company for the past many years and is familiar with the Company, its strategy and has been working with the JLR leadership team. This move will ensure that we continue to accelerate our journey to Reimagine JLR."
Outgoing CEO reflects on transformation period
Mardell's tenure coincided with unprecedented challenges across the automotive sector, from supply chain disruptions to the accelerating shift towards electrification.
His leadership during this period has positioned JLR as a more resilient operation capable of competing in the luxury segment's increasingly competitive landscape.
"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"
[Balaji's] close association with the successful transformation at Tata Motors Group positions him to drive the next phase of JLR's evolution.
New CEO brings global perspective to British brands
The incoming chief executive brings extensive international experience to his new role, having led operations across multiple continents throughout his career. His familiarity with JLR's strategic direction and existing relationships within the leadership team suggest minimal disruption to the company's ongoing initiatives.
"It is my privilege to lead this incredible company. Over the past 8 years I have grown to know and love this company and its redoubtable global brands," he said. "I look forward to working with the team to take it to even greater heights. I thank Adrian for his immense contributions and wish him well for his next innings."
Balaji has served as Group Chief Financial Officer of Tata Motors since November 2017, bringing 32 years of experience across automotive and consumer goods industries. His background spans finance and supply chain functions, with demonstrated success leading diverse, global teams across Mumbai, London, Singapore and Switzerland.
Technical credentials support transformation agenda
The new CEO's engineering background may prove valuable as JLR continues its transition towards electrification and advanced manufacturing technologies. His academic credentials include a B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering from IIT-Chennai and a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from IIM-Kolkata.
His close association with the successful transformation at Tata Motors Group positions him to drive the next phase of JLR's evolution. The appointment signals Tata's commitment to maintaining the momentum behind its 'Reimagine JLR' strategy whilst leveraging proven internal talent to lead the luxury brands forward.
The transition comes at a critical juncture for the automotive industry, with manufacturers racing to establish dominant positions in the electric luxury segment. Balaji's financial acumen and operational experience across multiple markets may prove decisive in navigating these challenges whilst preserving the distinctive character of both Jaguar and Land Rover brands.
