Julian Thomson has been Design Director at Jaguar since mid-2019, but the head of Jaguar’s design department is leaving. That writes the English Autocar. It is not yet known where Thomson will map out his creative future.
Julian Thomson settled on the throne of Jaguar’s design department in mid-2019, an undoubtedly comfortable spot previously kept warm by none other than Ian Callum. Thomson was no stranger to Jaguar. Before he took up the position of Design Director two years ago, he already had 19 years of service experience with the English brand. In 2000, Thomson – after spending a year as Exterior Design Director in Volkswagen’s European design center – began his career as Advanced Design Director at Jaguar.
Thomson leaves Jaguar of his own accord. It is not yet known where Thomson will continue to work. His predecessor, no longer involved with Jaguar, writes on Twitter that he “[…] sad and disappointed “is that Thomson is leaving his position at Jaguar.” Especially at a time when Jaguar needs strong leadership and talent. “Callum says that he himself is probably not welcomed by Jaguar with open arms and that the brand is still do not know what it will miss with the departure of Thomson as Design Director. There seems to be some old pain. The fact that Thomson is leaving now may come at an awkward moment for Jaguar. The brand is in the middle of a transition, it wants to start from 2025 namely only selling electric cars.