Inside Rachel's role Shaping the next era of Range Rover

What is your role and when did you join JLR?

I am the Global Product Manager for Range Rover Electric. I lead the product direction of this iconic vehicle, shaping it from an early concept through to launch. My role is to turn brand ambition and client insight into a compelling, globally relevant vehicle that stays true to Range Rover. No two days in this role are the same, and I get to work with fantastic colleagues from across the business and across the globe on a daily basis.
 
Tell us about your journey before your current role.

Before stepping into my current role, my journey at JLR was shaped by a breadth of experience. I started in Chassis Engineering in 2014, where I built a strong grounding in our products and how the business operates. Keen to broaden my vehicle-level understanding, I moved into Vehicle Engineering, which proved to be a pivotal phase in my development as I was supported by an empowering manager and built strong network across the business. That network opened the door to a move into Strategy, where I enjoyed working at the front end of new concepts and future-facing thinking. After several years, I was keen to see ideas through the full development cycle, which ultimately led me to product management. Each step has added a new perspective and helped me develop a well-rounded understanding of the business that I bring into my current role today.

 
What are some of your proudest moments?

Two moments in particular stand out as my proudest. The first was seeing Discovery Sport 20MY on the stand at Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2019, where I attended with my Dad. I’d worked on the vehicle early in its development, so being able to show him specific features I’d contributed to—and share the stories behind how we brought them to life was very special. My love of cars comes from him, so it was a proud moment for us both.

The second was driving one of the first Range Rover Electric prototypes from DC7 to Solihull. Experiencing the vehicle on the road and seeing the tangible outcome of the teams efforts and talents was immensely rewarding and reinforced why I love what I do.

How have you been supported at JLR?

Mentorship has been a huge part of my journey. Having a manager who empowered me early in my career gave me confidence to take on new challenges. I’ve also benefited from mentors outside my direct team who offered fresh perspectives and guidance. Networking within the business has been invaluable. Not only has it opened doors and helped me navigate big career pivots, but it also means that whenever I need advice, I have someone I can reach out to.

I now aim to give back to the next generation of talent by supporting career talks and mentoring, helping others build the same confidence and connections that have been so important to my own journey.

Tell us about some things you've learned along the way.

Along the way I’ve learned the value of breadth and perspective. Working across engineering, strategy and product has shown me that the best decisions are rarely made in isolation, understanding how choices land downstream, whether with customers, engineers, or the wider business, is critical.

I've also learned that progress doesn’t always mean moving faster, but building depth, credibility, and impact over time. Seeing programmes through end‑to‑end, learning from setbacks and helping others grow has been just as important as any role change.

One piece of advice for anyone at the start of their career.

Stay curious and open to opportunities, even if they take you in an unexpected direction. Focus on roles that align with your values and purpose, because that’s where you’ll thrive. Every experience adds something valuable to your toolkit, even if it doesn’t seem obvious at the time.