McLaren Automotive has announced the promotion of Robert Melville to the role of Chief Designer, reporting to the company’s Design Director, Frank Stephenson.
In this new role, Melville will be leading a creative team of designers tasked with developing the future visual direction of the brand including building up on the new family look that debuted with the groundbreaking McLaren P1. For the past five years, Melville has worked on the designs of the McLaren P1, 650S and, most recently, the Sports Series, previously known by its internal codename P13. It is scheduled to premiere on the world stage in the second quarter of 2015.
“Over the past few years, Rob has been heavily involved in shaping the current visual identity of the McLaren brand,” Stephenson said of Melville’s promotion. “McLaren operates from the dynamic haute-couture end of the industry and our customers continue to stimulate us from the design and product perspectives, and Rob brings a strong skill set and great enthusiasm to the team. These proven credentials will ensure a fresh and exciting look for the brand as we enter an important phase of business growth.”
Melville takes up this role within the design studio as McLaren prepares for the launch of its most attainable, the Sports Series, in the second quarter of 2015. This latest addition will be a range of pure McLaren models, bringing the brand’s performance credentials, technology and exclusivity to the sportscar segment for the first time.
“I am very honored with this recognition and look forward to turning our future vision work into reality,” Melville said of his appointment. “McLaren has always innovated with class-leading performance and breathtaking design and I am convinced the look of our upcoming cars, including the Sports Series, will continue to electrify.”
A graduate of the Royal College of Art’s Vehicle Design program, Melville brings more than a decade of design experience covering a wide range of projects for leading brands in the luxury automotive segment. He began his career at Land Rover’s Advanced Design studio in 2003 (he cites the LRX/Evoque and Range Rover as key projects) and later worked on the Cadillac Converj concept while at GM’s now defunct UK-based Advanced Design studio. He joined McLaren Automotive in 2009 as a Senior Designer.
