GRAHAM Wheeler, the former CEO of VW Financial Services, is to join Jaguar Land Rover as global director of financial services.
Vastly experienced in the industry, Graham’s appointment is an undoubted coup for JLR. Although JLR has acknowledged his appointment, the company has made no further comment other than “he has yet to start his new job”.
Graham was appointed managing director of VWFS in 2004, subsequently being appointed CEO in February 2015, before announcing he was to leave in April 2016 to pursue other opportunities. This followed a 21-year career with the financial arm of VW.
Who replaced Wheeler at VWFS?
Jaguar Land Rover is currently on a roll, with full-year results announced at the end of March showing that global retail sales had exceeded 500,000 vehicles for the first time, with profits before tax of £1.56bn. JLR has invested over £12 billion in new product and capital expenditure over the past five years to become one of the UK’s largest exporters
Dr Ralf Speth, Jaguar Land Rover chief executive officer, commented: “Jaguar Land Rover has produced and sold more cars than at any time in our history. We are now the largest automotive manufacturer in the United Kingdom and our vehicles have received more than 140 awards across the range for design, technology, safety and environmental sustainability.
“We have delivered sustainable, profitable growth and introduced new models – such as the Discovery Sport, Jaguar XE and XF – that have redefined their market segments.
“Furthermore, we are on track to deliver even more sensational products that will underpin the future performance of the business – such as the new F-Pace.”
Here in the UK, JLR recently announced fleet sales grew 84% in Q1 2016 compared to Q1 2015.
Graham Wheeler first began his automotive financial career with GE Capital Motor Finance before a year spent as general manager of a dealership in Scotland prior to his joining VW Financial Services. Graham is also on the board of trustees of the automotive charity BEN.
