Jaguar Land Rover announces today that John Edwards, Managing Director of Special Operations, has stated his intention to leave the business at the end of June.
John Edwards has led the Special Operations
business since its launch in 2014 and will leave after strengthening the
leadership team, preparing it for even greater future success and growth.
Replacing Edwards is Michael van der Sande,
currently Managing Director of Alpine, Renault Group’s sports car division, who
has previously held senior roles at Aston Martin, Tesla and Harley-Davidson. Further
appointments to the Special Operations leadership team will be announced at a
later date.
John Edwards said: “These crucial new
appointments put Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations in excellent shape for
the future. Our Special Vehicle Operations, Bespoke and Classic businesses are
strategically important for the entire business and I am confident the new recruits
will bring fresh thinking and new direction, building on what we have achieved
and taking us onwards and upwards.”
Dr Ralf Speth, Jaguar Land Rover CEO, said: “John
Edwards will be sorely missed. He has been a remarkable leader, serving Jaguar
Land Rover with distinction for 27 years and most recently building Special
Operations into a business we are proud of.
“John has been instrumental in the formation
and success of Jaguar Land Rover Classic and has led the team behind our
world-beating SVR and SVAutobiography models – cars that our most discerning
customers love.
“We are extremely grateful to John for his immense
contribution and wish him all the very best for the future. On behalf of
the board I thank him for his efforts and significant achievements.”
Hanno Kirner, Jaguar Land Rover Executive
Director, Corporate and Strategy, said: “We welcome Michael van der Sande to
our business. Michael, leading our revitalised Special Operations team, will
play a crucial role in our future success.”
Michael van der Sande said: “In just four
years Special Operations has established itself as a force in the automotive
world with outstanding cars such as the Jaguar F-TYPE SVR and Range Rover SV
Coupé, coupled with the revitalisation of the Classic business and continuation
models such as the Jaguar XKSS. These are exceptional achievements and I relish
the opportunity to lead the team behind these achievements to even greater
success.”
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