Tata Motors elevates PB Balaji to JLR CEO role in strategic global shift, a first for an Indian
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Mumbai: Tata Motors group finance chief PB Balaji will take over as the chief executive of the company's crown jewel, Jaguar Land Rover , on November 17, becoming the first Indian to lead the iconic British automotive brand.At JLR, Balaji will replace Adrian Mardell, who retires after a 35-year tenure at the maker of the Defender and F-Pace SUVs, the last three years of that as its CEO, Tata Motors said Monday. Handpicked by Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran from Hindustan Unilever , Balaji has become an integral figure in the group's transformation efforts since joining Tata Motors in 2017. His appointment reflects the leadership's confidence in his vision and execution capabilities.His move to JLR comes at a pivotal moment for Tata Motors, which is undergoing a major restructuring with plans to demerge its passenger vehicle and commercial vehicle businesses into two separately listed entities. After this transition, the company may no longer require a group chief financial officer, the role that Balaji has been holding since joining the company. His appointment at JLR is seen as a broader corporate realignment at Tata Motors aimed at granting individual businesses greater operational autonomy."It is my privilege to lead this iconic company," Balaji said. "Over the past eight years, I've come to deeply admire JLR and its exceptional brands. I look forward to the road ahead with optimism and purpose."Balaji has been associated with Tata Motors for the past many years and is familiar with the company, its strategy and has been working with the JLR leadership team, Chandrasekaran said, adding: "This move will ensure that we continue to accelerate our journey to Reimagine JLR."Under Balaji's financial leadership, Tata Motors reported its highest-ever consolidated revenue of ₹4.39 lakh crore in FY25, with a profit of ₹34,330 crore before tax and 28,149 crore after tax. The company's Indian operations turned net cash positive, with a surplus of 1,018 crore.Balaji has been closely associated with Tata Motors' improved capital discipline, cost focus and its growing leadership in electric vehicles-factors that have contributed to a more resilient and efficient organisation.Balaji began his career as a management trainee at Hindustan Unilever in May 1993, working in supply chain roles for the first decade, followed by finance leadership assignments across the Unilever group. He was vice president - finance for the Americas Supply Chain based in Switzerland, group chief accountant at Unilever's headquarters and chief financial officer at Hindustan Unilever. At the Indian unit of the consumer goods company, he was mentored by D Sundaram, who was then the company's CFO.An alumnus of IIT-Chennai and IIM-Kolkata, Balaji currently serves on the boards of Air India Tata Technologies , and Tata Consumer Products . He was the highest-paid executive in the Tata Group in FY25, drawing ₹21.09 crore, reflecting his growing leadership stature within the conglomerate.
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