PB Balaji to take the wheel as JLR CEO — First Indian to lead iconic automaker
Tata Motors has announced P.B. Balaji as the new CEO of Jaguar Land Rover, effective November 17, 2025, making him the first Indian to lead the luxury automaker. He succeeds Adrian Mardell, who is retiring after 35 years. Balaji's appointment comes as Tata Motors undergoes a demerger and JLR navigates its electric transition.
Mumbai: Tata Motors has appointed P.B. Balaji as the next Chief Executive Officer of Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), effective November 17, 2025, the company said in a notification to the stock exchanges. With this, Balaji becomes the first Indian to lead the British luxury automaker, marking a symbolic and strategic milestone for both JLR and Tata Motors, its parent company.
Balaji will succeed Adrian Mardell, who will retire after three years at the helm and 35 years of dedicated service to the company. Mardell is credited with leading a sharp turnaround at JLR during an era of electric transition and global uncertainty.
The announcement comes at a pivotal time not only for JLR but also for Tata Motors, which is currently in the process of demerging its passenger vehicle and commercial vehicles businesses. from Indian stock exchanges. As a result of this ongoing transition, the company may no longer require a Group Chief Financial Officer, a role Balaji has held since 2017.
His move to JLR, therefore, may also reflect an evolving corporate structure within the Tata automotive ecosystem. It is set to list its CV business in October this year. N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, Tata Motors, and JLR, stated: 'I would like to thank Adrian for his stellar leadership and record-setting performance. I am delighted to appoint Balaji as his successor. He knows JLR intimately and is well positioned to carry forward the 'Reimagine' strategy.'
Balaji, an alumnus of IIT-Chennai and IIM-Kolkata, brings with him 32 years of global experience in the automotive and consumer goods sectors, having led large multicultural teams across Mumbai, London, Singapore, and Switzerland. His financial acumen and strategic leadership have been instrumental in Tata Motors' successful transformation journey.Reflecting on his new role, Balaji said: 'It is my privilege to lead this iconic company. Over the past eight years, I've come to deeply admire JLR and its exceptional brands. I look forward to the road ahead with optimism and purpose.'Since Tata Motors acquired JLR in 2008, the automaker has seen four CEO transitions–David Smith, Ralf Speth,Thierry Bolloré, and Adrian Mardell. Balaji's appointment represents both continuity and change as JLR navigates its next phase of electrification, innovation, and global repositioning.
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