Leadership Team

Lynn Calder

CEO

Lynn Calder was appointed CEO of INEOS Automotive in December 2022, having spent most of her career in the petrochemicals and energy sectors. Lynn has worked within the INEOS Group for five years, with previous roles including CEO of INEOS Composites and Commercial Director of INEOS Phenol.   

Before joining the INEOS Group in January 2017, Lynn worked as an investor for a specialist private equity fund in the energy sector for eight years. Prior to this, she spent eight years working in a variety of commercial roles for Talisman Energy, latterly as Non-Operated Interests Manager. 

In her spare time, Lynn is a keen sportswoman and enjoys participating in endurance running, triathlon, road cycling and adventure racing.  

Hans-Peter Pessler

COO

Formerly on secondment from engineering partner Magna Steyr, Hans-Peter Pessler became the COO of INEOS Automotive in December 2022 and is responsible for all engineering and operations.

Starting his career as a mechanical engineer, Hans-Peter has more than 25 years of experience working in the automotive industry and, as such, has impeccable knowledge in vehicle engineering and development, including project management and complete vehicle competence, as well as vehicle architecture and design. Hans-Peter has international experience working with different customers all over the world, including for an OEM in China and Mexico.

Mike Whittington

CCO

Mike Whittington took up the newly created Chief Commercial Officer role in August 2024 to lead the global commercial departments and oversee commercial operations throughout the international regions. This move was part of a strengthening of the leadership team, having originally joined the business in earlier in the year as Senior Vice President – Global Sales & Aftersales. Mike brought with him 30-years of experience within the automotive landscape with roles at Polestar, JLR, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Lexus and PSA group.

With a deep understanding of global infrastructure, sales & marketing and e-commerce strategy across both established OEMs and start-up businesses, Mike is positioned to help lead the continued growth of INEOS Automotive’s brand and global footprint.

Always interested in business and nurturing a passion for all things four-wheeled, Mike holds a degree in International Business & Manufacturing Engineering as well as a CIM Diploma in Marketing.

Toby Ecuyer

Head of Design

Toby Ecuyer is an internationally recognised product designer and heads the design team for the Grenadier. A trained architect, and former partner and Creative Director at RWD, Toby has designed, custom built and tailored super yachts for clients all over the world with fastidious attention to detail.

He has worked for many years with some of the world’s finest craftsmen, artists, designers and engineers, and brings a fresh approach to automotive design for the purpose-driven Grenadier. His team’s mission is to honour the clear brief set out for the Grenadier by delivering a design that is at once easy to read, honest and captures the timeless appeal of a utilitarian 4x4.

Toby became involved with the Grenadier project after several years of working with Jim Ratcliffe on marine based projects. Prior to joining INEOS Automotive in 2018, he has had key roles at EPR architects and Modus design group and the internationally admired Dick Young yacht architects. In 2004 he joined RWD Design which specialises in super yacht design and became its Creative Director in 2007. The experience of designing world-class yachts has allowed Toby to bring a unique perspective to the design process of the Grenadier which has resulted in a highly practical details packaged into a robust and purposeful 4x4 design.

Tim Abbott

Global Sales Director | Regional Director Middle East & Africa

Tim Abbott joined INEOS Automotive in July 2021 as Head of Operations for Africa and is responsible for establishing the company in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, including all sales and marketing activities for the INEOS Grenadier. In 2024 he added the MENA region to his remit and in October 2024 took on the new role of Global Sales Director.

Tim (British) brings more than three decades of experience in senior automotive management, including almost seven years at BMW Group SA, firstly as Managing Director, before rising to CEO, BMW Group, South Africa and Sub Sahara. During this time, he also held the position of President, National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa.

Now known as NAAMSA The Automotive Business Council, the organisation advocates for common interest issues, policies, regulations and positions on behalf of the automobile industry in South Africa. Under Tim’s leadership, the council successfully lobbied the government to allow vehicle sales and crucial functions, such as servicing, to resume under the COVID pandemic Level 4 lockdown restrictions instead of Level 2, as was originally planned.

Before moving to South Africa, Tim worked his way up the ranks at BMW (UK) Limited to become Managing Director. Prior to this, he was Divisional Managing Director for both Mercedes Benz and Audi, within the United Auto Group, having previously owned five Audi dealerships in London. 

Tim’s in-depth knowledge of the Africa region, combined with his experience in the automotive sector and recent leadership of the Automotive Business Council makes him the perfect person to oversee the implementation and management of INEOS’s sales and aftersales network, which covers a broad and diverse range of market conditions. 

George Ratcliffe

President of the Americas

George Ratcliffe was appointed President of the Americas in August 2024 to bolster growth within the business’ largest region. He originally joined INEOS Automotive as Commercial Director in March 2023, previously holding the position of Commercial Director of INEOS Enterprises. George has been within the INEOS Group for 10-years, having joined as an Economics graduate from the University of Bath. 

Gaining experience from across the petrochemical, oil and gas and trading sectors of the business, George took up the post of COO of INEOS Compounds and COO of INEOS Hygienics, the group's first named B2C branded business.

George has maintained a keen eye on the Grenadier project, driving a prototype vehicle cross-country through Namibia in 2022. An active sportsman, he has run over 20 marathons, triathlons and has walked to both the North and South Pole.

Gregor Hembrough

Executive Vice President Americas

Gregor Hembrough joined INEOS Automotive as EVP Americas in November 2024 to nurture growth in IAL’s largest region by volume. He brings with him over 30 years of automotive experience in international sales, marketing and product development, gained within established and start-up OEMs in Europe and the US.

Having most recently overseen the successful establishment and growth of a new brand in the States, Gregor is well-placed to manage the continued growth of INEOS Automotive in the US, Canada and down into Latin America, having started with Mexico at the end of 2024.

Gregor grew up around cars, this influence shows in his garage, which is home to several automotive icons from the UK and Germany. He holds a degree in Business Management and a master’s in marketing.

Marcel Guay

Head of Region - Canada

Marcel Guay joined INEOS Automotive in March 2025, taking on a newly created role as Head of Region for Canada. This comes as a further step towards strengthening INEOS’ footprint in North American region, it’s largest market. Based in Toronto, Marcel will oversee strategic growth across the Great White North.

Marcel arrives with over two decades of automotive and aerospace experience having previously spearheaded Maserati Canada, lead Network Development for Porsche Canada and held several sales and marketing roles with Nissan. His career took off from Bombardier Aerospace.

Beyond four wheels, Marcel is just as at home on two. A former competitive road and mountain bike racer, he continues to put in a good weekend coffee ride with a local club and has returned to road racing after a hiatus while raising a family. It was through following the INEOS Grenadiers cycling team that lead to his discovery of INEOS Automotive, piquing his interest over the past few years enough to join the business.

Growing up, Marcel’s family car history includes several British icons, from small roadsters to an imposing V12 Saloon. He holds an MBA and degree in a Mechanical Engineering.

Justin Hocevar

Regional Director Australia, New Zealand & APAC

Justin Hocevar joined INEOS Automotive in February 2021 as the Head of Sales and Marketing for Australia, New Zealand and APAC. He is responsible for planning and leading the company’s entry into the region, and for all sales and marketing activities for the forthcoming INEOS Grenadier 4X4.
 
Justin, (Australian) has previously held senior automotive leadership positions in Australia at Jaguar Land Rover, Renault and MINI. During his seven years in a career-defining role as CEO / Managing Director at Renault Australia, he oversaw the highest performing period for Renault in the market, achieving 600% growth. This was driven by the renewal and expansion of the network, an increase in commercial vehicle growth and the introduction of initiatives to boost customer satisfaction.
 
Most recently as Sales Director for Jaguar Land Rover, Justin performed a key organisation leadership role, as a member of the board of directors and prominent contributor to the strategic and operational direction of both Jaguar and Land Rover brands in the Australian market.
 
Previously, Justin served BMW Group Australia for 12 years, first as National Sales Manager for BMW Motorrad and later National Manager of MINI. Justin’s experience and passion for developing and growing brands and sales operations will be invaluable to INEOS Automotive as it plans its entry into the ANZ and APAC region.
 
Justin, who is married with two children, also has an adventurous spirit and love of travel that makes him a perfect fit for the INEOS Grenadier. He has travelled extensively – mostly by motorcycle and 4x4, including an independent year-long overland journey on two wheels, that saw him travel all the way from England to Australia.

Christian Blank

Regional Director Europe

Christian joined INEOS Automotive in February 2025 as Regional Director Europe. He brings two decades of experience in the automotive business, including more than 10 years at JLR, being responsible for Customer Service and Network Development in the European Region covering 32 markets, before becoming Sales Director Germany.

Prior to this, Christian held the position of Managing Director DACH for Infiniti, after more than five years with Mazda Motor Europe. Christian’s experience and knowledge in network development, sales operations and fleet will be invaluable to INEOS Automotive in broadening its presence on the European Market.

Outside of work, Christian is a big traveller and enjoys visiting more adventurous locations across rural Africa and the Middle East – No all-inclusive pool-side Spanish sun here. Christian holds a master’s in both management and business administration from universities in his native Germany and the United States.

Jixiang (Tyler) Chen

Regional Director China

Tyler Chen joined INEOS Automotive as Regional Director, China in November 2024, after more than five years with INEOS Composites - most recently as Managing Director Asia Pacific. While fresh to an Automotive OEM, he is a respected INEOS leader experienced in working with OEMs and Tier-1 automotive suppliers. 

Responsible for overseeing INEOS Automotive’s expansion into China’s rapidly growing premium adventure vehicle market, Tyler is committed to driving Grenadier’s success in China’s vast physical and commercial landscape.

Tyler enjoys his free time staying active on two wheels or relaxing at the water’s edge - fishing rod in hand. He is also a keen driver and favours mechanical feel and tactile functionality over automation and functions buried in touchscreens. He holds a master’s and bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and has completed Executive Leadership and Management programs at both the University of Chicago and London Business School.