Let’s be clear: Jaguar is a dead brand shambling toward its inevitable grave. The Type 00 might fool some into thinking there’s life left in the corpse, but it’s nothing more than a brief, pathetic gasp before the brand finally, mercifully expires.
The rot has been evident for years, and the firing of Professor Gerry McPoser—otherwise known as Gerry McGovern—only underscores it. The chief design overlord never shied away from looking sharp in a photo op. Well-pressed suits and rehearsed smiles can’t disguise a brand in its death throes.
Professor McPoser’s exit from Jaguar Land Rover was sudden and swift—if you believe the reporting from Autocar, which broke the news. Autocar is well connected with trusted sources (moles) within the automotive world; they are, in some ways, the Mossad of car journalism. Is that an insult or a compliment?
According to Autocar, McPoser was abruptly fired on Monday this week, told to pack his belongings, and escorted off the JLR premises immediately. The speed of his departure hints that something ugly was brewing behind the shiny veneer of PR spin.
A Smooth Boardroom Operator
McPoser is rumoured to be difficult to work with, but, as with all rumours, they cannot be confirmed. One can only presume he had severe disagreements with management. Operating at boardroom level, he must have learned the art of speaking in a Machiavellian tongue—saying one thing while meaning another.
It seems unlikely that he offended the broader board members. One can only speculate what finally crossed the line. Perhaps a serious clash with new CEO PB Balaji, a poorly chosen remark, or harassment allegations that left HR no choice but to act. Whatever it was, JLR clearly decided that immediate termination was the only option.
Being fired with immediate effect generally indicates a major breach of contract by the employee. Legal fallout over compensation is likely, and the full story may only emerge if McPoser challenges the decision in court. Presumably, a company of JLR’s size would have considered the legal implications before taking such a drastic step.
Despite this, McPoser was celebrated for redesigning the Defender and Range Rover, though whispers abound that he took credit for other designers’ work while making sure his impeccably tailored suits and rehearsed smiles were front and centre in every photo opportunity. Fame, for him, was as important as design.
McPoser also championed the Type 00, a vanity project that now seems destined to either flame out or be mercilessly rejected by consumers. In the end, his legacy may be less about vehicles and more about the theatrics, ego, and politics that marked his departure.
