Jaguar Land Rover confirm Coventry as its new global HQ

COVENTRY has been chosen as the new global headquarters for Jaguar Land Rover as part of the firm’s plans for expansion.

Bosses at the luxury car manufacturer made the announcement on Wednesday as they officially unveiled the firm’s new head office in Whitley.

The decision forms part of JLR’s ambitious expansion plans announced earlier this year, which will see them invest £1.5billion a year for the next five years on new product developments and expanding its new engine range.

Other plans for the company include consolidating hi-tech engineering at its south Warwickshire plant in Gaydon, which will be designated a ‘Centre of Excellence’.

The new global headquarters at Whitley Business Park will bring together both brands – Jaguar and Land Rover – under one roof.

Bosses reckon it will attract automotive giants from around the world to Coventry.

The boss of Tata Motors – the Indian owners of JLR – Ratan Tata made a special visit to the city for the official opening, which was carried out by the firm’s chief executive Dr Ralf Speth.

Dr Speth said: “The opening of this new headquarters is more than just a normal opening, it signifies a new chapter in our successful business.

“We have ambitious and exciting plans for Jaguar Land Rover, which will see us invest £1.5billion every year.

“We are going to launch new products over the next five years and that means we are going to have to invest and invest heavily.



“We are investing in people, we are investing in infrastructure and as everybody knows we are keeping all of our plants and have announced a new engine plant in the UK.”

The new headquarters, which houses around 120 staff, including the Jaguar Land Rover board of directors, has 18 executive offices, conference facilities, a boardroom and media room, as well as a cafe for employees.

It will house the company’s corporate operations, including the legal team, HR, finance and sales and marketing.

Mike Wright, JLR executive director, said: “What we have here is the new global headquarters for the whole of Jaguar Land Rover, bringing together both brands.

“This is great news for Coventry, as we will see visitors coming to the new headquarters from all over the world.”

The news has been welcomed by business and council leaders across Coventry, who were invited to the official opening.

Denys Shortt, chairman of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Coventry being chosen as the global headquarters is very exciting.

“Obviously we are working on the Coventry Gateway project, which is adjacent to the headquarters and it will give this whole area a huge boost – particularly automotive firms which will be keen to relocate to the region to be near to JLR.

“I am incredibly honoured that Ratan Tata has chosen Coventry as the new global headquarters, it is fantastic news for the city.”

Jaguar Land Rover reported a 26 per cent increase in global retail sales for September – with China delivering another record month.

Source: Coventry Telegraph