Jaguar Land Rover strengthens executive leadership team

Jaguar Land Rover has announced new appointments to its Executive Leadership Team to support the next phase of its development and transformation.

Steve Marsh has been appointed executive director, of Vehicle Programmes.

In an automotive career of 36 years, Steve joined JLR in April 2022 from Nissan where he was SVP, Manufacturing and Supply Chain.

Since joining JLR, Steve has overseen an intensive period of transformation across the business’s global manufacturing footprint as JLR readies for electric vehicle production.

He said: “The transformation of JLR to a global modern luxury automotive manufacturer is well underway and delivering our next generation vehicles to the highest standard – across all touch points – is critical to our ongoing success.

“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead JLR’s global Vehicle Programmes teams at this once‑in‑a‑generation moment of powertrain and industrial change.”

Swarna Ramanathan has been appointed chief strategy officer, leading JLR’s Strategy Creation, Innovation, Strategic Foresights, Alliances & Collaborations and Product & Customer Experience Strategy teams.  

An MBA‑graduate and mechanical engineer, Swarna has 20 years’ growth strategy development and implementation experience, working across the automotive, consumer and energy sectors.

Swarna joins JLR from McKinsey & Company where she is a Partner and leader in McKinsey’s Centre for Future Mobility.

Swarna said: “As an experienced and passionate advocate for the automotive, consumer and energy sectors, and a long‑term follower of JLR, I am thrilled to be appointed Chief Strategy Officer, JLR, at an important moment in JLR’s transformation to be a global modern luxury automotive leader.

“I look forward to playing a leading role in the evolution of the business’s Reimagine strategy for continued success.”

With Swarna appointment, Andrea Debbane, who joined JLR’s executive leadership team in August 2024, will continue in her role as chief sustainability officer, relinquishing her interim responsibilities for Strategy. 

JLR has also announced the appointment of John Beswick to the new role of chief transformation and performance officer.

John joins JLR from Great Ormond Street Hospital where he has served as chief financial officer.

Prior to this, John spent two decades at BT Group in transformational change and finance leadership roles, having started his career as a chartered engineer in the semiconductor manufacturing industry.  

John said: “I am delighted to be joining JLR as Chief Transformation and Performance Officer. Working alongside other members of the Executive Leadership Team and colleagues across JLR, my priority will be to lead the implementation of JLR’s strategy throughout the organisation, through seamless team alignment and collaboration.

Both Swarna Ramanathan and John Beswick’s appointments take effect from 4 November, 2024.  

JLR’s chief executive officer Adrian Mardell said: “The transformation of the automotive sector is the greatest change in our industry in a century.

“Ensuring we have the right leaders, with the qualities and experience to deliver our modern luxury vision in the near‑, medium‑ and long‑term will ensure JLR’s future health and prosperity.

“I offer my warmest congratulations to Steve, Swarna and John on their appointments.”