McLaren adds chief creative officer to executive team

The company has appointed David Woodhouse as chief creative officer, a newly created position on its executive leadership team. Image credit: McLaren

British automaker McLaren is putting its design, retail and licensing decisions under one person.

Announced Aug. 10, the company has appointed David Woodhouse as chief creative officer, a newly created position on its executive leadership team. He takes creative oversight across vehicle and product design direction, brand identity, communications, retail environments, partnerships and licensed products.

Executive team enhancement

McLaren’s Kemal Curic will continue to lead vehicle design as chief design officer, while chief commercial officer Henrik Wilhelmsmeyer retains responsibility for brand and marketing execution, with Mr. Woodhouse working across both to align them under a single creative direction.

Mr. Woodhouse hails from senior design roles at leading automotive brands, including Lincoln and Nissan.

McLaren’s W1 model can reach a speed of 124 miles per hour in 5.8 seconds. Image credit: McLaren

“The opportunity to help shape and elevate every aspect of how the McLaren brand is expressed, from our products and spaces to our communications and experiences, is incredibly compelling,” said Mr. Woodhouse, in a statement.

“McLaren has an extraordinary heritage and a bold ambition, and I look forward to working with the talented teams across the business to create a cohesive and world-class brand experience that is unmistakably McLaren.”