The leaders in this ultra-luxury world have a doubly hard job in that they must work with limited finances to create world-beating cars that have to wow some of the toughest customers.
Get it right and the rewards are huge, as shown at Ferrari, Rolls-Royce and increasingly at Bentley and Lamborghini.
Get it wrong and you’ve a tough mountain to climb, but those starting at ravine level such as Lawrence Stroll at Aston Martin and Michael Leiters at McLaren are proving they have the resilience needed.
We celebrate these leaders in the Power List 100, sponsored by Keyloop.
Power List 100 2023 - Ultra-luxury leaders
Lawrence Stroll, chairman, Aston Martin
There were few harder roles to take on than chairman of Aston Martin a few years ago. But, after surviving an array of financial bumps, Lawrence Stroll has shown he was the man for the job. Now, the brand’s first EV is on the horizon and it will join a surge of eight new sports cars by 2026. Shares in Aston are also on the up after revenues in the first half of 2023 soared 25% year on year.
Michael Leiters, CEO, McLaren Automotive
It’s a busy time at McLaren. Last year, the brand pushed into the electrified era with the Artura and welcomed new boss Michael Leiters. The German has already helped the firm post slightly increased sales last year, but he is looking to push higher still: he wants to evolve the line-up beyond purely mid-engined supercars. An SUV has been touted.
Stephan Winkelmann, CEO, Lamborghini
One of the mavericks of the car world, Stephan Winkelmann is a man whose sharp looks match his sharp brain on luxury car selling. In 2020, after a stint at Bugatti, he returned to Lamborghini for his second spell as CEO. He is heading up major changes, including overseeing its last combustion model and pushing forward into an electrified age.
Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO, Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce doesn’t have the sales numbers of other brands but punches well above its weight in global exposure. Torsten Müller-Ötvös will retire in December, but under his 14 years in charge, Rolls-Royce sales increased virtually every year and last year the brand hit a record 6021 sales. Incoming CEO Chris Brownridge, currently BMW UK boss, has a tough act to follow.
Adrian Hallmark, CEO, Bentley
It’s hard to overstate Adrian Hallmark’s value to Bentley. Since his return to the firm as its CEO (he was previously integral to the launch of the 2003 Continental GT), the numbers have been staggering – record sales despite the pandemic and supply issues. Now, with his bold electrification plan, Bentley is set up for the future.
Benedetto Vigna, CEO, Ferrari
As the man who brought in Ferrari’s first SUV, Benedetto Vigna’s Prancing Horse legacy will be defined by the success of the Purosangue. The 54-year-old has been at the helm of Ferrari since 2021 and has already presided over record-breaking success. This came in the form of last year’s sales, which reached 13,221 units – up from 11,155 in 2021.
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