McLaren’s acquisition sees key Forseven leadership moving across into new roles
Alister Whelan has taken the design reins at McLaren Automotive, shifting into a new role as chief design officer. It follows the supercar brand’s acqusition by CYVN Holdings – the Abu Dhabi-based entity that also owns Forseven and Whelan’s previous gig for the past couple of years. He officially joined the mysterious EV start-up Forseven in January 2023 after a spell at Nio, but announced last week that he would be shifting over to McLaren Automotive.
“I’m proud to be joining such an iconic global brand with heritage and legacy and blending it with everything we’ve been developing at Forseven. We’re beginning a new era together. It isn’t just about combining our two companies - it’s about pushing the boundaries and shaping the future of McLaren together.
At the same time, Forseven’s CEO Nick Collins will assume the same role over at McLaren Group Holdings. It is unclear what these moves mean for Forseven, although the strong suggestion is that there will be an official merger between the two.
“The combination of what McLaren has achieved, and what Forseven has built in a short time is incredibly complementary,” Collins said in a statement. “Together, we believe McLaren can be more.”
“I believe this is a pivotal moment for the automotive industry, and I’m humbled to be a part of it,” Whelan added in a statement. ”Watch this space for news on our exciting plans as we expand our portfolio and develop a globally admired business.”
It is unclear what this means for incumbent chief design officer at McLaren, Tobias Sühlmann, who joined after a (very) short stint at Bentley in April 2023. Car Design News has approached Sühlmann for comment, but have not had a response just yet.
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