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Q&A

Off the Cuff: A Q&A with Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ Jon Colbeth

October 17, 2025

Jon Colbeth is president and CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA

 

“Off the Cuff” is a Q&A series from Luxury Daily exploring the career paths, current projects and next steps of those shaping the world’s best luxury brands.

The interviews feature a Proust-style twist, allowing readers to get to know industry leaders on a personal level. This edition features Jon Colbeth, president and CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars North America.

In this Q&A, Mr. Colbeth discusses the unchanging core of luxury, the joy of delivering a custom car to clients and the satisfaction in keeping it simple.

Here is the dialogue:

What was your first job ever? What did it teach you?

Right out of high school I was a firefighter. I was training to be part of a hotshot crew to fight wildfires.

That experience taught me how to handle high-pressure situations where mistakes can have big consequences.

Which skills have been critical to your success? Did you gain these skills within or outside of the workplace?

It’s the transferable skills in life that are most valuable, no matter where you learn them. Being resilient, adaptable and able to make quick decisions has been essential throughout my career.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

The most important step in your life is the next step.

How has your field changed since you started out in luxury, and what do you think your industry will look like in a decade?

Luxury itself hasn’t changed — it’s still defined by the same core attributes: exclusivity, personal expression and rarity. The world evolves constantly, but those promises are what we must continue to deliver today and in the future.

If I had to pick one thing, it would be the speed we need to move in communicating with each other and our clients. Luxury is also ‘knowing,” and we need to be digitally connected to our clients to make sure they are the first to know what is going on with the Rolls-Royce brand.

What recent projects have ignited your passion for working in luxury?

For me, it’s always about the last delivery of a Rolls-Royce commission to one of our clients. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing the passion on a client’s face the first time they see their Rolls-Royce.

Who, in any industry or sphere, would you most like to share a long lunch with, and where would you take them?

Pharrell Williams at Paris Fashion Week.

We’ve worked with him as a client, and I’d love to experience that event through his eyes. He has such an eclectic background that’s shaped his iconic style.

I’d let him choose the restaurant — something public so we could interact with people.

How do you get into the right mindset before a big meeting or presentation?

It’s all about preparation. I make sure I have all the information I need and go over everything ahead of time. If it’s a major presentation, I like to run through it out loud. Preparation builds confidence.

On your days off, what can you be found doing to relax or have some fun?

Given how much time I spend traveling and entertaining, I like to keep it simple: hitting the gym or spending quality time with my family.

What does luxury mean to you?

No compromises.

Whether a product or service/experience, what is your favorite luxury indulgence?

When I’m traveling for business, I really appreciate staying at a great property with a gym, pool and casual restaurant. There’s nothing better than a place that helps me feel at home.