JLR #2 - The SVO Business expands to increase staffing by an extra 250 people this year.

• Jaguar Land Rover is creating 250 jobs across its Special Operations division during 2016; an increase of nearly 25 per cent
• Special Operations is responsible for halo car products (Special Vehicle Operations), Vehicle Personalisation, classic car programmes by Jaguar Land Rover Classic and an exciting range of Branded Goods 
• Recruitment plan aligned to opening of new SVO Technical Centre and acquisition of new Jaguar Land Rover Classic headquarter facilities in UK

Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations today announces recruitment plans to support its ambitious growth strategy, with the creation of 250 new jobs this year.

Just two years after its creation in 2014, plans to increase the number of employees across Special Operations’ business areas is aligned to the £30m investment made in new headquarter facilities in the British Midlands for Special Vehicle Operations (£20m) and Jaguar Land Rover Classic (£7.5m).

John Edwards, Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations Managing Director, said: “Today we employ just over 1,000 designers, engineers and technicians across four divisions in Special Operations.

“The team is energetic, enthusiastic and entrepreneurial. They are the principal reason that we have made a strong start in business since 2014.

“Now we have new facilities, technologies, products and services in place to exceed the demands of our most discerning customers all over the world. I look forward to strengthening our team and delivering on this fantastic opportunity.”

Since June 2014, Special Vehicle Operations has successfully launched the Jaguar F-TYPE Project 7 and incredible new, 200mph-capble F-TYPE SVR, as well as the formidable Range Rover Sport SVR and luxurious Range Rover SVAutobiography. Sales of SVO products across both the Jaguar and Land Rover brands totalled more than 3,600 in the 2015/16 financial year.

John Edwards said: “Our business plans are driven by the desire for ‘halo’ vehicles and other exclusive products from customers in all corners of the globe. The vision for Special Vehicle Operations is to launch one new SVO car every year, on average, for at least the next four years.”

These new products will be crafted at the new £20m Special Vehicle Operations Technical Centre at Oxford Road in Coventry. The new centre will contain four new areas, with a Commissioning Suite and Viewing Suite where experts will guide customers through the design and creation of their new vehicles. These vehicles become reality in the newly-established Manufacturing Facility, Paint Facility and Technical Suite. These new facilities, and the people working there, will be responsible for building the cars that represent the very pinnacle of the Jaguar and Land Rover brands, offering the ultimate in luxury, performance and capability.

Jaguar Land Rover Classic, which is responsible for the successful launches of continuation editions of the Jaguar Lightweight E-type and forthcoming XKSS, as well as the recent introduction of the Land Rover ‘Reborn’ restoration programme, will establish a new home in the British Midlands later this year, following acquisition of a new site near to the Special Vehicle Operations Technical Centre. The initial investment in this new facility totals £7.5m and the new site will house car sales, restorations, servicing and parts operations.