JLR Design Boss Behind The Controversial Barbie Pink Type 00 Is Officially Leaving The Brand

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) design boss, Gerry McGovern, is officially leaving the brand at the end of March after 21 years.

It comes 3 months after report alleged he had been “escorted out of the office,” though JLR denied the claims at the time.

He oversaw the design direction of Defender, Discovery and Range Rover, including the Evoque, Velar, Range Rover Sport.

He was also behind the Jaguar rebrand, which includes the creation of the highly controversial Type 00 Concept.

Jaguar Land Rover’s long-time prolific design boss, Gerry McGovern, will officially leave the company at the end of March 2026, nearly three months after report alleged he had been “escorted out of the office,” though JLR denied the claims at the time.

In an official statement shared with JLR staff and obtained by Daily Mail and This is Money, McGovern confirmed his departure from the role of chief creative officer. He also confirmed he will now establish his own creative consultancy.

“It has been a great privilege to work at JLR across two extraordinary decades, and I would like to thank the Tata family in particular, for the opportunities they gave me.”

“The dedication and passion of thousands of people across the business have made these brands what they are today, and I am enormously proud of what we have built together… I look forward to the next chapter of my creative career,” McGovern added.

Reports of McGovern’s departure in December came swiftly after Indian-born PB Balaji assumed the CEO role [of JLR] on November 17 2025, following the departure of Adrian Mardell, who officially retired from the post.

During his 21-year career at Land Rover and Jaguar, McGovern oversaw the design direction of Defender, Discovery and Range Rover, including the Evoque, Velar, Range Rover Sport and two generations of the flagship Range Rover.

McGovern is also the car designer behind the Jaguar rebrand, which includes the creation of the highly controversial Barbie pink Type 00 Concept, which made its debut last December, ahead of the brand’s switch to Electric Vehicles (EVs) this year.

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