Bob Joyce, chief engineer of Jaguar Land Rover

It may seem difficult to know where to best concentrate your efforts when you’re in charge of overseeing two car companies that are both quintessentially British and under foreign ownership; very different but equally rich in history and renowned for their high-calibre, specialised products.

Thankfully, Bob Joyce, group engineering director at Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), keeps a close eye on developments in the automotive arena when it comes to advancing new technology in the company’s sophisticated Jaguars and off-road Land Rovers, but equally he knows that it’s not just about the technology. People are vital, too. Escaping the office on what was described as a rare occasion, Joyce spoke with The Engineer after showcasing some of JLR’s most current technology to youngsters at last month’s Big Bang Fair.

‘The car that motivated me to be an engineer, I have to say, and I’ve driven it once but not bought one because they’re actually rather disappointing to drive, was the 1959 Cadillac Eldorado,’ said Joyce. Low-slung and extravagantly finned, dripping with chrome and sporting bullet-shaped rear lights, the Eldorado is the quintessential symbol of 1950s US motoring. ‘I just think it’s such a beautiful vehicle. It suddenly motivated me to get into cars.’