Why IKEA CEO Jesper Brodin has Stepped Down After 30 Years
Jesper Brodin has announced his departure from the role of CEO and President of Ingka Group, IKEA's biggest franchisee.
He said on Linkedin: “After 30 inspiring years within IKEA, and the recent eight as CEO & President, I have taken the personal decision to step down.
“It has not been an easy one to take, but I truly feel this is a good time.
“I am proud of how we, together, have navigated unprecedented challenges across the last years, always guided by our culture and values, while transforming IKEA to an omnichannel retailer with sustainability at our core.
“To get to be a part of the IKEA community of 170 000+ colleagues across the last 30 years has been a privilege and a joy.
“I will step into the role of Senior Advisor for IKEA Foundation, among other things.
“In the coming years, I hope to bring my experience to more organisations and continue to contribute to make things better for business, people and the planet.”
Jesper Brodin's IKEA career
Jesper began his career at the business in 1995 as a Purchase Manager in Pakistan.
By 1999, he became the assistant to IKEA Founder Ingvar Kamprad and the CEO of Ingka Group at the time, Anders Dahlvig.
Jesper made his way up the ranks, becoming Supply Chain Manager in 2011.
After this he was promoted to CEO of IKEA Range and Supply, before becoming CEO of Ingka in 2017.
In Jesper’s time at the business, he has overseen a variety of sustainability initiatives, including the setting of new emissions goals.
He says that from the beginning of his time with IKEA, employees “were taught that wasting resources was a sin".
“If you look at our tradition and history, long before anybody could spell sustainability, it was about reducing air in the packages, filling up the containers, making a flatpack.
“The only way IKEA can be successful in the future is to be in a hurry to get sustainable.
“We need to get smarter on how we use energy and materials across the whole value chain. And that’s the only way we will be able to be affordable.”
How Jesper became a strong leader
Jesper says that he believes in creating a community at the business: “I am proud to be part of an amazing IKEA community with passionate people who want to create a better everyday life for the many people.”
On his Linkedin he has shared various messages about leading in reality and being involved with employees.
He claims that fear of making mistakes is the enemy of development, insisting that you shouldn’t ask for permission but ask for forgiveness to build on success.
Karen Pflug, Chief Sustainability Officer at Ingka Group, took to Linkedin to say ”Eleven years ago, Jesper Brodin took a chance on me.
“I left sunny Hong Kong, moved my family to Sweden and began my IKEA journey.
“His trust, support and infectious optimism have shaped my career from my early days as Head of Quality to my work as CSO today.”
Who will be the next CEO?
In November 2025, Jesper will hand over to current Deputy CEO Juvencio Maeztu.
Jesper says: “His values-based leadership and deep commitment to business, people and planet has always inspired me and us and I know he will lead with purpose at heart.”
Juvencio's first role in the business was as an IKEA Store Manager in Madrid.
He has worked for the company for 25 years and held the role of Deputy CEO for more than seven.
Juvencio said on Linkedin: “I’m thrilled and excited to share the news that I have been appointed new CEO and President at Ingka Group and will start my new job in November 2025.
“I feel deeply grateful, humble and responsible for the trust and confidence placed in me.
“I know that our vision and commitment to affordability and low prices is more than a business idea, it is our responsibility to the many people.
“Doing what’s right for business, people and the planet is what drives our long-term success.”
