Jaguar Land Rover Strengthens its leadership team creating two new roles on its Executive Committee

2-7-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Jaguar Land Rover is strengthening its leadership team creating two new roles on its Executive Committee to support an increased focus on research and development initiatives and the delivery of its ambitious new product plans for the future.

Dr Wolfgang Epple, Programmes Director, will move to a newly created position of Director Research and Technology. In this role, Dr Epple will lead Jaguar Land Rover’s innovation and advanced research initiatives. He will also co-ordinate the National Automobile Innovation Centre at Warwick University and will be appointed as a Senior Fellow of the University of Warwick Manufacturing Group.

After 10 years of leading Jaguar Land Rover’s Engineering function, Bob Joyce will move to a new position of Director, Product Creation and Delivery. In his new role, Bob will be responsible for the end-to-end delivery of all new Jaguar Land Rover product programmes including strengthening processes and ensuring cross-functional alignment across the company.

Dr Wolfgang Ziebart will be appointed as Jaguar Land Rover’s new Group Engineering Director, replacing Bob Joyce. In this role, Dr Ziebart will be responsible for the company’s global engineering operations. He has more than 30 years of automotive experience, including 23 years at BMW, where he was Member of the Board in charge of product development. Subsequently, he was Board Member of the automotive supplier Continental and CEO of the semi-conductor manufacturer Infineon.

Commenting on the changes, Dr Ralf Speth, Chief Executive Officer, said: “Today’s announcement signals that Jaguar Land Rover is creating an even stronger leadership team to shape our ambitious future product plans. I am delighted to welcome Dr Wolfgang Ziebart on board to supplement the existing strong management team.  Together with the new roles for Dr Wolfgang Epple and Bob Joyce, we  will strengthen our  engineering,  research, technology development with process driven delivery, to bring even more innovative and exciting new products to our customers.”

All will report directly to Dr Ralf Speth and will be effective from 1 August 2013.

Ends

Notes to editors:

• Jaguar Land Rover has ambitious plans for sustainable growth and profitability.
• Jaguar Land Rover has two product development centres at Whitley, its headquarters, and Gaydon.
• Jaguar Land Rover has three advanced manufacturing facilities in the UK and is building its first state of the art advanced engine facility at i54 South Staffordshire Business Park investing more than £500m and creating almost 1,400 new jobs.
• In the 2012/13 financial year, Jaguar Land Rover reported increased revenues of £15.8bn (up 17%) and pre-tax profits of £1.7bn (up 11%)
• Jaguar Land Rover is investing £100 million in an advanced research facility at Warwick Manufacturing Group to accelerate innovation.
• Jaguar Land Rover will invest circa £2.75bn in its products and facilities in the financial year to March 2014.
• Jaguar Land Rover employs more than 25 000 people and sells vehicles in 177 countries around the world. More than 80% of our business is exported.
• Jaguar Land Rover has recruited over 9,000 people in the last two years.
• Jaguar Land Rover is the only UK automotive company to be rated Platinum in the Business in the Community Corporate Social Responsibility Index 2012.

For more information, please contact:

Ken McConomy,
Head of Corporate Relations
M: +44 7714 725 236
E: kmcconom@jaguarlandrover.com

Lisa Palmer,
Senior Communications Officer
M: +44 (0) 7555 540611
E: lpalmer1@jaguarlandrover.com