Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), the luxury carmaker owned by Tata Group, has announced the appointment of P B Balaji as its next Chief Executive Officer (CEO). He will take over the top role in November 2025, after current CEO Adrian Mardell steps down upon completing his contract. Mardell will continue to support the company during the transition period.
The decision was confirmed in a stock exchange filing on August 4, 2025. Balaji’s appointment marks a major shift, as he moves from a financial leadership role to the driver’s seat of one of the world’s most recognised car brands.
WHO IS PB BALAJI?
P B Balaji is no stranger to the Tata Group. He has been the Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Tata Motors for nearly eight years, playing a key role in steering the company’s finances and growth strategy. His promotion to JLR CEO reflects the group’s trust in his leadership and vision.
Before joining Tata Motors, Balaji worked with Hindustan Unilever (HUL) for over eight years. He started his journey in the corporate world as Vice President of Treasury at Unilever Singapore in 2007. Later, he moved to HUL in India, where he served as the Vice President of Finance. His strong financial background and experience of managing large organisations set the foundation for his leadership path.
HIS EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Balaji is a highly qualified professional with degrees from two of India’s most prestigious institutions. He studied engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, graduating in the 1991 batch.
After that, he completed his post-graduate studies in finance and operations at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta.
WHAT’S NEXT?
As CEO of Jaguar Land Rover, Balaji is expected to lead the company into a new era. With his deep understanding of finance, operations, and the Tata Group’s broader vision, he is well-placed to take on the challenges of the global automotive market.
His appointment comes at a time when the car industry is evolving rapidly, with a strong push towards electric vehicles, sustainable mobility, and new technology. Industry watchers will be keen to see how Balaji brings his experience and fresh perspective to JLR’s global business.
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