Jaguar Land Rover has reportedly removed its long-time design chief Gerry McGovern in a sudden and unexpected move, just days after P B Balaji stepped in as the new CEO. According to AutoCar India, McGovern, 69, was asked to leave on Monday. The reason for his dismissal is not clear.The development brings an abrupt close to McGovern’s association with JLR, which spans more than two decades. During his tenure, he played a key role in shaping some of the company’s most iconic modern vehicles, including the reborn Defender SUV and multiple generations of the Range Rover lineup. His design philosophy helped position JLR’s cars as global symbols of luxury, modernity and British automotive identity.JLR’s parent Tata Motors declined to comment, while McGovern didn’t respond to a WhatsApp message. McGovern was also known to be part of the late Tata Motors chairman Ratan Tata’s close automotive circle. Tata, deeply passionate about cars and personally involved in the company’s product development, had given McGovern considerable creative freedom. People familiar with their working relationship said Tata trusted his instincts and encouraged his design choices.After Tata’s death, however, McGovern became vulnerable to internal changes and leadership shifts, AutoCar India noted.Beyond his work with JLR, McGovern has also contributed to design and creative strategy at Norton Motorcycles, the iconic British motorcycle brand owned by TVS Motor. TVS Motor chairman emeritus Venu Srinivasan is a trustee of JLR’s ultimate shareholder Tata Trusts, where Tata’s half-brother Noel Tata is now the chairman.
