Jaguar’s director of design, Ian Callum, is stepping down from the iconic car brand after 20 years at the helm.

Callum has been at the Coventry based car maker during one of its most innovative period and is credited with giving the classic car line a new lease of life, moving the company away from its classic stylings to a new future which includes this year’s World Car of the Year, the I-Pace. As well as being an SUV, the I-Pace breaks new ground for Jaguar as it is JLR’s first all electric car.

Jaguar Land Rover’s CEO Dr Ralf Speth said: “The contribution Ian Callum has made to Jaguar’s industry-leading design reputation cannot be over-stated.

“Ian stands for the most forward-thinking, rule-breaking and emotive approach to automotive design.

“He has created a new Jaguar design language – and his passion for Jaguar has seen the range completely transformed during his 20 years in charge.

“Innovative, beautiful, future-facing and true to our pioneering heritage, Jaguar’s current and award-winning cars are testament to Ian’s dedication – you can see his ‘signature’ in each and every one."

Speaking about his departure, Mr Callum said: “I have had an incredible career at Jaguar.

“One of my biggest highlights was creating XF because it represented the beginning of a new era moving Jaguar from tradition to contemporary design – it was a significant turning point in our story.

“Designing the F-Type was a dream come true for me, and I-Pace was an opportunity to create something hugely innovative that would really challenge the perception of Jaguar – and its success is testament to just how far the brand has come.”

He added: “I came into this role with a mission to take Jaguar design back to where it deserved to be.

“It has taken 20 years, but I believe I have achieved what I set out to do.”

Callum began his career at Ford and worked on the Ford Escort Cosworth before moving to Aston Martin and creating some of their most iconic vehicles of the 1990s, including the DB7 and the Vanquish.

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