Jaguar Designer Behind 'Woke' Rebrand Banned From Driving After Speeding Ticket

Gerry McGovern, the chief creative officer credited with Jaguar's recent rebranding efforts, has been banned from driving for six months after being caught speeding. The incident occurred just days after McGovern stepped down from his role at Jaguar Land Rover in December.

McGovern was reportedly driving his £160,000 Range Rover P615 SV, a model he helped design, at 25 mph in a 20 mph zone on Chelsea Embankment in London. He failed to pay the fixed penalty notice or provide his driving license details, leading to his prosecution under the Single Justice Procedure scheme.

Magistrates in Willesden, north London, handed down the six-month driving ban last week. He was also fined £220 and ordered to pay £218 in costs and a victim surcharge.

McGovern, 71, had a 21-year career at Jaguar Land Rover, where he was instrumental in the redesign of the Defender and the Range Rover lineup. He was also the primary creative architect behind Jaguar's 2024 rebranding initiative, which included the 'Type 00' concept for the marque's first electric model. This rebrand, featuring androgynous models and a focus on a 'Copy Nothing' ethos, drew criticism from public figures including Nigel Farage, Donald Trump, and Elon Musk.

His departure from Jaguar Land Rover followed the appointment of a new chief executive, PB Balaji, from the parent company Tata Motors in December. While Jaguar Land Rover initially denied terminating McGovern's employment, a staff statement in March confirmed his exit to pursue a creative consultancy.

Earlier this month, Jaguar unveiled its new 155 mph Type 01 grand tourer, a two-and-a-half-ton electric vehicle with a starting price around £120,000. The car, which bears a resemblance to the Type 00 concept, has elicited mixed reactions, with some critics calling it an "unmitigated catastrophe" while others, like Jeremy Clarkson, noted it "certainly has presence."