Aston Martin Vulcan (miromiro/Bigstock.com)

Leaving the world's eighth-largest carmaker for a small British sports car company might seem like madness for a career-minded person. But that's exactly what Andy Palmer did last year.

Palmer was once the Executive Vice-President of Nissan, having risen through the ranks of the Japanese car giant over 24 years.

But since last year Palmer has been the CEO of Aston Martin – James Bond's favourite car brand. And for the next six years, Palmer will aim to take the world-famous luxury marque back into profitability.

Because despite the brand's popularity among MI6 agents and global millionaires, Aston Martin remains in difficulty. It has been on the brink of financial disaster for much of its 101 year history. It made a loss of £25m last year, and £36m the year before that.

So how does the Englishman intend to turn this treasured British brand around?

In a recent interview with the Guardian, Palmer laid bare his ambitions. While the firm will continue to focus on its core luxury roots, it must also branch out into other areas of the sports car market, says Palmer.

And much like Bentley and Rolls Royce, soon Aston Martin will be bringing out a sporty 4x4 to cater to the ever-growing SUV market. The off-road Aston will be called the DBX.

“I want to balance the portfolio so we don’t go through this feast and famine,” said Palmer in the Guardian piece. “We need to generate enough cash flow so I don’t have to go out with the begging bowl. The plan is to bring the company to profitability within six years. So that, for the next 100 years, [Aston] won’t go bankrupt.”

Palmer has £500m to create a new line-up for the firm, along with an additional £200m from City investors.

In many ways, Palmer is coming back to his roots by leaving Nissan and heading to Aston; he was raised not far from the company's Gaydon facility.

But what makes Palmer think he can steer Aston back into profitability? In the Guardian interview, he recalls the story of pilot Chesley Sullenberger, who ditched his plane into the Hudson River after it hit a flock of geese.

Sullenburger's experience and cool head saved the lives of 155 passengers and crew. Palmer hopes he can bring a little of 'Captain Cool's' control and leadership to Aston Martin, and turn this Jewel of British automotive engineering into the financially stable and globally successful brand it deserves to be.

By Craig Hindmarsh