► Former head of Jag design goes solo
► Ian Callum sets up his own agency
► Callum will focus on bespoke one-offs
The stalwart of modern Jaguar design, Ian Callum, has revealed what he’ll do after 20 years shaping big cats: he’s off to set up his own car design and engineering consultancy that’ll specialise in bespoke and limited-edition cars for discerning collectors.
Ian Callum steps down as Jaguar design chief
Based in Warwick not far from Jag’s own HQ, the new agency is eponymously named Callum and will boast full design, engineering and manufacturing facilities to tackle the most unusual models tailored to customers’ every whim.
Remember the bespoke restomod Jaguar Mk2 Callum commissioned for his own collection in 2014 (above)? Sounds like he had such fun making this unique young-timer with Shropshire specialist CMC that he’s now setting up his own business to do more of the same.
Callum: a new design and engineering agency
The new company ‘will design and create bespoke and limited-edition products’ at its 20,000sq ft facility in Warwickshire, it explains.
Callum, who was recently made a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, has corralled a team of four founding members to set up the new business: David Fairbairn (who worked on the Lightweight E-type recreation), Adam Donfrancesco (engineer who numbers cars such as the Aston Martin GT8, Noble and Jag F-type GT4 on his CV) and Tom Bird (commercial director who’s worked at PWC, Barclays and Jaguar Land Rover).
‘Callum brings together highly-experienced, skilled and enthusiastic people that share the same want – the opportunity and freedom to create and produce products that excite,’ said programme director Fairbairn. ‘We love what we do, and we have the passion, collective experience and know-how to create some very special, diverse products across design, lifestyle and travel.’
The company will announce its first project in the coming weeks.