Dr Andrew C Palmer, a Non-Executive Non-Independent Director on the board of Ashok Leyland resigned from his position on Thursday, the company informed in a regulatory filing. 

The Chennai- based commercial vehicle major stated that Dr Palmer stepped down on account of personal and unavoidable reasons. He was associated with Ashok Leyland from November 2015 and held the position of Independent Director until July 1, 2021, before being appointed as a non-executive non-independent Director from July 7, the same year. 

In his illustrious career spanning several decades, Dr Palmer worked as the founder and CEO of Palmer Automotive and also served as non-executive Chairman of UK-based Optare, a company which Ashok Leyland acquired in 2011. Optare was later renamed as Switch Mobility, becoming the e-mobility arm of Ashok Leyland. Palmer, who was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Technology in 2014 also held several executive and non-executive positions in companies such as Hilo, Inobat Auto, amongst others. In addition to this, he was also the President and CEO of Aston Martin between 2014 and 2020. 

Following Dr Palmer's stepping down, Switch Mobility has announced the elevation of Mahesh Babu as its CEO. Dheeraj Hinduja will be assuming the role of executive chairman.

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