In a landmark move that further cements the Tata Group’s strategic alignment with its British luxury marque, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) today officially announced the appointment of Mr. P.B. Balaji as its next Chief Executive Officer, effective November 2025.
From Tata Motors CFO to JLR CEO
Balaji, who has served as Group Chief Financial Officer at Tata Motors since 2017, will succeed Mr. Adrian Mardell, who steps down after an illustrious 35-year career at JLR, including a critical three-year tenure as CEO. The leadership transition occurs amid JLR’s ongoing transformation under the “Reimagine” strategy, which aims to reposition the company as a global leader in sustainable modern luxury.
“Balaji is not just a seasoned finance leader—he’s someone who understands JLR from the inside out,” said Mr. Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Jaguar Land Rover, Tata Motors, and Tata Sons. “The search for a suitable candidate has been underway for months, and Balaji’s deep familiarity with the business, strategy, and leadership team made him the natural choice.”
Adrian Mardell’s Legacy at JLR
Under Mr. Mardell’s leadership, JLR delivered record financial performance, bouncing back from post-pandemic challenges and semiconductor shortages, while also laying the groundwork for the company’s electric future. As part of the Reimagine initiative, JLR has pledged to make Jaguar an all-electric brand by 2025 and to introduce its first fully electric Range Rover later this year—moves that could reshape its position in the premium EV market.
Reflecting on his departure, Mr. Mardell stated, “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.”
Education Qualification and Global Experience of P.B. Balaji
Mr. Balaji, who holds degrees from IIT-Chennai and IIM-Kolkata, brings over 32 years of global leadership experience across the automotive and consumer goods sectors, having worked in strategic roles across Mumbai, London, Singapore, and Switzerland. His close involvement with Tata Motors’ turnaround, including the turnaround of Jaguar Land Rover’s financial health in coordination with Tata Motors’ broader consolidation strategy, has been widely recognised in industry circles.
In his statement, Mr. Balaji said, “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. I look forward to working with the team to take it to even greater heights.”
Industry analysts believe this transition signals deeper integration between JLR and Tata Motors, especially in shared platforms, EV technology, and global supply chains. According to an earlier report by Reuters, Mr. Balaji has played a central role in ensuring capital discipline and aligning long-term investment strategies across the Tata Group’s mobility verticals.
JLR’s Electric Future Under Balaji
As JLR prepares to launch its next generation of electric models—including the much-anticipated Range Rover EV and the reborn Jaguar lineup—Mr. Balaji’s appointment is seen as both a symbolic and strategic evolution for the storied automaker.
With this move, Mr. Balaji becomes the first Indian CEO of Jaguar Land Rover, marking a significant milestone in the company’s history and reflecting the growing global leadership footprint of Indian business executives in the luxury automotive space.
Source references:
– Official JLR press release, August 5, 2025
– Reuters, August 5, 2025: “Tata Motors names P.B. Balaji as JLR CEO”