Balaje Rajan appointed Group Chief Strategy Officer at JLR

Balaje Rajan has been appointed group chief strategy officer at Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), effective April 1, 2026. He will relocate to the UK and report to the CEO of JLR.

Rajan currently serves as chief strategy officer and head of International Business at Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles (TMPV) and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility (TPEM). He will continue to support strategic collaborations at Tata Motors alongside his new role.

1. Rajan to focus on platform sharing, architecture alignment across segments
2. Look into closer alignment of electrification, software development strategies
3. To leverage Indian engineering and cost structures to support global programs

Focus on India-global alignment

Role to support closer integration.

Rajan’s appointment comes as Tata Motors looks to strengthen coordination between its India passenger vehicle operations and JLR’s global business. He is expected to work on areas such as platform sharing, electrification strategy and technology alignment, particularly as both entities expand their electric vehicle portfolios.

The move also comes as Tata Motors develops its Avinya EV range, which is expected to use learnings and select technologies from JLR. The company has shifted towards a more balanced approach, combining in-house development and selectively leveraging JLR’s EV technologies and learnings, rather than relying entirely on shared architectures.

Background and role

Experience across strategy and international business

Rajan has been involved in shaping Tata Motors’ integrated ICE and EV strategy, as well as its international business plans. His responsibilities have included aligning product strategy, platform direction and market expansion efforts.

Prior to Tata Motors, he worked with Tata Strategic Management Group, focusing on areas such as EV strategy, go-to-market models, battery ecosystem planning, and passenger vehicle turnaround initiatives for multiple group companies.