Phil Popham


Phil Popham is chief executive officer of Lotus Cars. He was formerly CEO of Sunseeker and previous to that, Global Operations Director for the global Jaguar Land Rover business, responsible for the fortunes of the companies worldwide. He joined Lotus in October 2018.

Background

He was born in 1965 in Redditch, Worcestershire, England, and graduated with a first class BSc in management studies from the University of Aston, Birmingham.

Career

Having joined Land Rover as a graduate trainee in 1988, Popham has spent all but two years of his career with the company. His first directorial role and foreign posting saw him based in South Africa as Marketing Director between 1995 and 1997. He continued to gain international experience between 1998 and 1999, as Vice President of Marketing for Land Rover North America. He then left Land Rover to become Head of Operations, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles from 1999 to 2001, before being lured back by the attractions of Land Rover’s UK Sales Directorship. Two years of record sales and profits helped propel him to appointment as Managing Director Jaguar and Land Rover in March 2003. A promotion to Director of Global Operations for Land Rover followed in February 2006, leading almost immediately to his being elevated to the Managing Director role. As he said at the time "it is a great honour and challenge to take the helm of such an iconic brand"

Achievements

Popham has presided over a major UK-based automotive success story. Land Rover has sold more than four million vehicles since its inception in 1948, but never so extensively or in such volumes as now. The company employs 10,000 workers. Over 70% of models are sold abroad in over 160 countries, with the UK being the company’s largest single market. Popham has also overseen the introduction of "the world’s leading carbon offset programme" offsetting all CO2 produced by Land Rover manufacturing. When allied to the introduction of fuel-efficient diesel across the range, Popham notes that "we are as serious about sustainability as we are confident about the continuing relevance and desirability of our vehicles."
Having witnessed shifts of ownership from BMW to Ford to Tata, Popham is on record as saying that Land Rover’s success is self-sustaining. "We are in the middle of a sales phenomenon" he has noted, adding "we are solidly in the black, very profitable and the future looks extremely bright for the brand."

Personal

Popham is married with two children and lives in Warwickshire. In addition to his allegiance to West Bromwich Albion F.C. and general passion for football he follows all sports, and enjoys travel.