Volvo Design Chief Jeremy Offer Steps Down After Two Years
Jeremy Offer, the design chief at Volvo, has recently resigned from his position after serving for two years. His departure follows closely behind the exit of former Volvo CEO Jim Rowan, who played a significant role in Offer’s appointment.
Both Offer and Rowan brought unique perspectives to the car industry as outsiders. Rowan, previously the chief of Dyson, and Offer, who had six years of experience as the lead designer for the now-defunct van start-up Arrival, brought fresh ideas and perspectives to Volvo.
According to a statement from Car Design News, Volvo cited Offer’s desire to spend more time with his family as the reason for his resignation. The commute between the UK and Volvo’s base in Gothenburg, Sweden, had taken its toll on Offer.
As a result of Offer’s resignation, Nick Gronenthal, head of automotive design for Volvo, has been appointed as the interim head of design for the brand. The search for a long-term successor is ongoing, with former Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath playing a key role in the decision-making process.
Thomas Ingenlath, recently appointed to an advisory role overseeing design for Volvo’s parent company Geely, is expected to provide valuable insights and guidance in selecting Offer’s successor. Volvo CEO Håkan Samuelsson emphasized the importance of Ingenlath’s input, stating that his expertise will be “highly valued” at Volvo.
In an interview with Automotive News Europe, Samuelsson expressed his confidence in Ingenlath’s ability to coach Volvo’s designers and provide valuable direction for the brand’s design strategy. “He can give me some tips also on what I should do – or not do,” Samuelsson added, highlighting the collaborative approach Volvo is taking in shaping its future design direction.
