IAN HARNETT RETIRES AND JAGUAR LAND ROVER APPOINTS NEW BOARD MEMBERS

15 June 2020

  • Concluding a career spanning nearly 38 years, Ian Harnett, Executive Director Human Resources and Global Purchasing, to retire at the end of July 2020
  • Ian has played a pivotal role in the growth of Jaguar Land Rover over the last decade
  • Two new Jaguar Land Rover Executive Board of Management members announced: Dave Owen appointed Executive Director, Global Purchasing and Dave Williams appointed Executive Director, Human Resources

Today, Jaguar Land Rover has confirmed that Ian Harnett, Executive Director Human Resources and Global Purchasing, has announced his intention to retire at the end of July following almost 38 years with the business. 


Ian joined British Leyland in 1982 starting in the Purchasing Department at Longbridge and subsequently he led the purchasing team following Ford’s acquisition of Land Rover in 2000.  In 2009, Ian was appointed Director of Purchasing, Jaguar Land Rover and assumed the role of Executive Director of Human Resources and Global Purchasing in 2015. 


Over the last decade, Ian has delivered a crucial role in the long‑term sustainable growth of the business overseeing Jaguar Land Rover more than double its workforce from 17,000 to around 38,000 people and sales almost triple in the same period. 
 

Ian has played a pivotal role in Jaguar Land Rover’s growth over the last decade. On behalf of the Board of Management, I would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Ian for his dedication to and passion for our business. I wish him a long and happy retirement.

Prof Sir Ralf Speth
Chief Executive Officer

Following Ian’s decision to retire, Jaguar Land Rover has confirmed two new appointments to the company’s Board of Management. Dave Owen will become Executive Director, Global Purchasing and Dave Williams will be appointed to the position of Executive Director, Human Resources.


Prior to this, Dave Owen was Operations Director at the Solihull plant and has held several senior management positions at Jaguar Land Rover.
Dave Williams was HR Director, Operations and has had senior HR roles at both Jaguar Land Rover and Ford.

I am delighted to welcome them both to the Board of Management. They bring the knowledge, experience, relationships and, most importantly, passion for our business that I know will help guide us through these challenging times and back to sustainable, profitable growth.

Prof Sir Ralf Speth
Chief Executive Officer

Further information

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Twitter: @JLR_News

Notes to Editors

About Jaguar Land Rover

Jaguar Land Rover is the UK’s largest automotive manufacturer, built around two iconic British car brands. Land Rover is the world’s leading manufacturer of premium all‑wheel‑drive vehicles. Jaguar is one of the world’s premier luxury marques, as well as being the first ever brand to offer a premium all‑electric performance SUV, the Jaguar I‑PACE.

At Jaguar Land Rover we are driven by a desire to deliver class‑leading vehicles, providing experiences people love, for life. Our products are in demand around the globe and in 2019 we sold 557,706 vehicles in 127 countries.

At heart we are a British company, with two major design and engineering sites, three vehicle manufacturing facilities, an Engine Manufacturing Centre and soon to be opened Battery Assembly Centre. We also have vehicle plants in China, Brazil, India, Austria and Slovakia. Three of our seven technology hubs are in the UK – Manchester, Warwick (NAIC) and London – with additional sites in Shannon, Ireland, Portland, USA, Budapest, Hungary and Changshu, China.

We have a growing portfolio of electrified products across our model range, embracing fully electric, plug‑in hybrid and mild‑hybrid vehicles, as well as continuing to offer the latest diesel and petrol engines, giving our customers even more choice.

We are confident that our comprehensive strategy, exciting pipeline of market‑leading vehicles and innovative approach to technology and mobility will see us continue to progress towards Destination Zero, our mission to shape future mobility with zero emissions, zero accidents and zero congestion.