Alfa Romeo names new head of exterior design

Alfa Romeo has snagged a new head of exterior design. Bob Romkes will move over from Citroen and DS in Paris to a new gig in Turin and will work under VP of design Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos.

Romkes will be part of the team at Centro Stile tasked with navigating the brand’s move deeper into the world of digitalisation and electrification, spearheaded in February by the launch of the Tonale SUV. Alessandro Maccolini, who led the exterior design for the Tonale, shifted into a ‘project design’ role in October 2021 after more than 25 years in his prior position. More recently, the Italian marque revealed facelifted versions of the Giulia and Stelvio, with an updated headlight design and a new Trilobo grille.

Romkes has previously had a hand in some exciting exterior designs under DS and Citroen, including the striking DS E-Tense concept shown at the 2016 Geneva motor show (above). He has also worked on earlier explorations of a revived Citroen SM. Romkes has described the move over to Alfa Romeo as a “true honour.” Romkes was also an award winner at the Interior Motives Design Awards back in 2009, at which point he was studying at the Royal College of Arts. Fittingly, he took home the trophy for Best Conceptual Exterior.

In other recent job news, Lotus shifted Ben Payne into a new role as chief creative officer last month; Karma brought in Michelle Christensen as VP of global design, and we hear there may be further change at the California start-up in the wings too.