- Dr Ralf Speth, Jaguar Land Rover Chief Executive Officer named man of the year by AUTOBEST
- Ian Callum, Jaguar's Design Director, wins top design award.
- AUTOBEST jurors represent journalists from 15 emerging European countries, stretching from the Ukraine to Cyprus.
Whitley, Coventry, UK: Jaguar Land Rover's, Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ralf Speth and Jaguar's Design Director Ian Callum have been honoured at the 2013 annual AUTOBEST awards.
Dr. Speth was named Man of the Year 2013 by AUTOBEST's jury of leading journalists from the emerging European markets. The "MANBEST" award was presented to the Jaguar Land Rover CEO in recognition of his significant contribution in transforming the fortunes of the leading British business and its iconic motoring marques.
On their decision to select Dr. Speth as Man of the Year, Dan Vardie, the Chairman of AUTOBEST, said, "Dr Speth is one of the most successful executives we have in the industry. He proved that both Jaguar and Land Rover are full of potential with extraordinary new and highly competitive vehicles, and designed a business model with impressive profits."
Dr Speth joined Jaguar Land Rover as Chief Executive Officer in 2010 and since that time he has overseen the remarkable turnaround of the leading premium British automotive manufacturer thanks to a programme of sustained investment in new products, technologies, infrastructure and people, Jaguar Land Rover's success has seen the company increase its workforce by 9000 employees in the last two years and it is set to grow further as 1700 jobs were announced in September to support the introduction of an all‑new technically advanced, aluminium architecture at its Solihull Advanced manufacturing plant.
Commenting on the award Dr. Speth said, "Europe is an incredibly important market for us and despite the economic challenges we are seeing growth in these markets. This award, from respected journalists in fast developing markets, recognises the success of Jaguar Land Rover whom has emerged from the difficulties of the recession and had a series of successful new vehicle launches, with the Range Rover Evoque, Range Rover Sport and Jaguar XJ."
Recognition for Jaguar Land Rover continued with Ian Callum, Jaguar's Design Director, receiving the coveted "DESIGNBEST" award for his enduring commitment to redefining Jaguar's design language. The AUTOBEST jury said, "We were highly impressed with his latest creation, the F‑TYPE, a sports car true to Jaguar's design values. The award is also paying tribute to his outstanding work dedicated to futuring the entire design language of Jaguar, introducing a modern interpretation of a one‑of‑a‑kind history only Jaguar can come up with."
Ian Callum joined Jaguar as Design Director in 1999 and has gone on to define and develop the new Jaguar design aesthetic which began with the current XK and was followed by the the award winning XF and XJ saloons and most recently new Jaguar F‑TYPE which has been crowned World Car Design of the Year.
Notes to editors:
Jaguar Land Rover:
- Jaguar Land Rover has been named Responsible Business of the Year by Business in the Community (BITC).
- Jaguar Land Rover has ambitious plans for sustainable growth and profitability.
- In 2012, Jaguar Land Rover sold 357,773 vehicles, up 30%. Of that, Jaguar sold 53,847 vehicles and Land Rover sold 303,926 vehicles.
- Jaguar Land Rover will invest circa £2.75bn in its products and facilities in the financial year to March 2014.
- Jaguar Land Rover is one of the UK's largest exporters and generates in the region of 85% of its revenue from exports.
- In the 12 months to 31 March 2013, Jaguar Land Rover generated profit before tax of £1.675bn with revenues of £15.8bn.
For more information, please visit www.newsroom.jaguarlandrover.com or contact:
Ken McConomy,
Head of Corporate Relations
M: +44 7714
725 236 E: kmcconom@jaguarlandrover.com
Nicola Rzeznik,
Senior Communications Officer
M: + 44 (0)
7736 912266 E: nrzeznik@jaguarlandrover.com