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Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Phantom VIII designer leaves abruptly

Giles Taylor, the head of the design for Rolls-Royce since 2012, has left the company abruptly after the launch of its first SUV, the Cullinan.


Taylor also oversaw the design of the Cullinan, and the eighth generation Phantom.

He started at Rolls-Royce in 2011 as the head of exterior design, and was promoted to head of design in 2012 when Ian Cameron left. Taylor had previously worked at Jaguar, and was chief designer of the Jaguar XJ. He started his career at Citroen in 1992, and designed the 1996 Xsara.

According to Automotive News, Taylor fell out with Rolls-Royce executives. He wanted to change the company’s design as it moved into the world of electric cars, but other executives weren’t sure.

His departure was amicable. No successor has been named.

Credit: Harniman Photographer