BENTLEY MOTORS APPOINTS T.JON MAYER AS NEW HEAD OF EXTERIOR DESIGN AND DESIGN OPERATIONS

• T.Jon Mayer expands responsibilities from previous position of Head of UX Design and Design Operations to lead Bentley’s Exterior Design team
• Appointment reinforces Bentley’s commitment to progressive luxury design and future electrified product portfolio
• Mayer to lead the Exterior Design direction of Bentley’s production cars, concept vehicles and future exterior design language

Bentley Motors today announces the appointment of T.Jon Mayer as its new Head of Exterior Design and Design Operations, effective immediately. T.Jon succeeds Domen Rucigaj, who has moved to a new position within the Volkswagen Group.

In his new role, T.Jon will lead Bentley’s Exterior Design team, shaping the creative vision and design language for the brand’s next generation of luxury vehicles as Bentley accelerates its Beyond100+ strategy and transition towards electrification, starting with the Bentley Torcal.

T. Jon will continue to oversee Design Operations, including digital modelling and visualisation, championing innovation in advanced digital design processes and virtual development.   

T.Jon brings more than 20 years of international automotive design experience to the role. Having joined Bentley in 2024 as Head of UX Design and Design Operations, he has already played a key role in advancing the integration of digital experience, craftsmanship and design innovation across the business.                       

Prior to Bentley, T. Jon spent 13 years at Volvo Cars, holding senior leadership positions including Head of Exterior Design and Head of Design, Volvo Cars USA. During this time, he led the Exterior design of vehicles including the EX60, EX30, S60, V60 and V60 Cross Country, while helping shape Volvo’s modern design language through the Concept Coupe family and contributing to one of the brand’s most recognisable design signatures, the Thor’s Hammer headlight.                

He graduated from Carnegie Mellon University before continuing his studies at the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California.

Reporting to Robin Page, Director of Design, T. Jon will lead a multi-skilled team of 45, responsible for the exterior design development of Bentley’s current and future product portfolio, as well as the operations teams covering digital surfacing and visualisation.

Commenting on the appointment, Robin Page, said:        

“Since joining Bentley, T. Jon has become an integral member of our Design leadership team. He has played a key role in strengthening the connection between creative design and delivery, while his leadership has been instrumental in ensuring the UX vision for Torcal was successfully realised from concept through to production. His combination of exterior design expertise, operational leadership and collaborative approach makes him the ideal person to lead our Exterior Design team as we continue to evolve Bentley’s design language and shape the next generation of Bentley products.”     

                                     
T.Jon, added, “Bentley represents one of the most compelling luxury brands in the world, with an extraordinary heritage and an exciting future ahead. I’m honoured to lead the Exterior Design team at such a pivotal moment for the company and look forward to helping shape the next chapter of Bentley design.” 

T.Jon replaces Domen Rucigaj, who moved to a new position within the Volkswagen Group.