Former JLR Exec Tapped to Head Lotus

Group Lotus plc has appointed Phil Popham, a former senior Jaguar Land Rover executive, to manage its operations.

Popham will serve as senior vice-president of commercial operations for Group Lotus and CEO of Lotus Sports Cars. He will report to Group Lotus CEO Feng Qingfeng. China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. purchased Lotus last year.

Popham most recently headed Sunseeker International, a British yacht maker. He previously worked for JLR for nine years in a variety of executive positions.

At Lotus, Popham will oversee the company’s daily operations and long-term planning, which may include a return to motorsports. The British sports carmaker plans to introduce redesigned versions of its Elise and Esprit sports cars in 2020 and a crossover/SUV in 2022.