JLR announces change in senior leadership team with three new faces joining carmaker

JLR has announced three new appointments to its senior leadership team, which it says will help it tackle transformation in the automotive sector.

From next week (October 21), Steve Marsh takes on the role of executive director of vehicle programs, reporting directly to JLR CEO Adrian Mardell.

Marsh currently serves as JLR’s director of global manufacturing operations, having joined the company from Nissan, where he was senior vice president of manufacturing and supply chain, in April 2022. He has more than 36 years of experience in the automotive industry .

Meanwhile, Swarna Ramanathan assumes the role of chief strategy officer, also reporting to Mardell. His role will be to lead JLR’s strategy creation, innovation, strategic forecasting, alliances and collaborations, and product strategy and customer experience teams.

An MBA graduate and mechanical engineer, Ramanathan has 20 years of experience developing and implementing growth strategies, working in the automotive, consumer and energy sectors. She joins JLR from McKinsey & Company, where she is a partner in the McKinsey Center for Future Mobility.

Her appointment allows Sustainability Director Andrea Debbane to return to her role, having covered the strategy since August 2024.

Also joining the company will be John Beswick, who has been appointed to the new role of chief transformation and performance officer, reporting to Mardell.

He joins JLR from Great Ormond Street Hospital, where he is currently CFO. He previously held senior finance leadership roles at BT and before that worked in the semiconductor manufacturing industry.

Ramanathan and Beswick’s appointments are effective November 4, 2024.

Confirming the appointments, CEO Mardell said: “The transformation of the automotive sector is the biggest change to our industry in a century.

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

‘I extend my warmest congratulations to Steve, Swarna and John on their nominations.’