Days after it’s revealed Jaguar Land Rover will build a £4bn electric car battery factory in the UK the carmaker announces the appointment of a permanent chief executive. Tony McDonough reports

Adrian Mardell is to be the new permanent chief executive of Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) after serving as interim CEO since late last year.

This latest news comes as JLR, which employs more than 3,500 people at its Halewood factory in Merseyside, days after the company pledged to build a £4bn electric car battery factory in the UK.

JLR had been considering Spain as the destination for the plant but a Government support package, believed to be worth as much as £500m, has persuaded the business to base it in Somerset. It is due to open in 2026.

Employing 4,000 people directly, and offering many more jobs in the supply chain, the gigafactory will be one of the largest in Europe. It will initially make batteries for JLR but eventually supply other car manufacturers as well.

Mr Mardell took over as interim chief executive of JLR following the departure of Thierry Bolloré. He left the business for “personal reasons”.

Speaking on Friday, Mr Mardell said: “It has been my immense privilege to lead JLR over the last eight months and I am proud to be appointed chief executive officer of this fantastic business which has shaped me over the last 32 years.

READ MORE: Jaguar Land Rover reports 29% surge in sales

“We have the right vision and people to deliver our Reimagine strategy and I am honoured to lead JLR on the journey ahead.”

JLR has also announced the appointment of Richard Molyneux as chief financial officer of the company, which is owned by India-based Tata Motors.

In June JLR told investors it planned to invest £3bn into its business every year for the next few years as it transforms into an electric vehicle maker.

At Halewood the company assembles the Range Rover, Evoque and the Land Rover Discovery Sport. By 2025 a new all-electric SUV model will be rolling off the production line at the site.