JP Gregory leaves Aston for Lotus
John Paul “JP” Gregory (pictured above right) has joined Lotus Tech Creative Centre (LTCC) in Coventry as head of exterior design, leaving a similar role at Aston Martin in mid-June, after only a few months
The highly-experienced sports and luxury British car designer John Paul “JP” Gregory has been involved in some of the most stunning exterior designs of the last decade including the acclaimed 2015 Bentley EXP 10 concept and 2019 Bentley EXP 100, working alongside renowned design bosses SangYup Lee, Luc Donckerwolke and Stefan Sielaff in Crewe, before a brief stint in post at Aston Martin from early 2022, as head of exterior design, reporting directly to EVP and chief creative officer Marek Reichman.
Clearly the Aston move did not work out. There have been some major management upheavals lately at the Gaydon-based marque including CEO Tobias Moers’ turbulent two-year tenure which ended abruptly in May 2022. Within a month, Miles Nurnberger returned to the brand he left for Dacia just under a year earlier, to his previous role as director of design “but with a slightly wider remit” reporting to Reichman alongside his wife Leighanne Earley rejoining as creative director of interiors and brand partnerships. According to our sources, Gregory left Aston very shortly after those appointments were made and newly-appointed head of interior design Douglas Hogg followed him out the door about six weeks later and is now rumoured to be on six months’ gardening leave.
The Lotus head of exterior design role at LTCC where the English brand’s (non-sportscar) all-electric lifestyle products are created is a new one – LTCC’s md Ben Payne was previously responsible for that side of design as part of his wider managerial title (and sounds enthused at having some of his heavy workload removed). “JP is a world-class talent with a proven track record in creativity, communication, and leading people,” Payne said. “His appointment comes at a key time when we are moving our business to the next level. His mindset and experience will be invaluable as Lotus continues to evolve and LTCC continues to develop – I look forward to realising the full potential of the team we are building.”
Gregory, for his part added: “Lotus is a brand that has already started its transition into its future as a true global performance brand, and LTCC has so far played a big part in that. With an iconic history to honour, I look forward to working with Ben and the team to help shape the next chapter of the brand”.
Lotus’s sportscar design team in Hethel, Norfolk remains headed up by Russell Carr.