Ikea's outgoing CEO on succession, sustainability, and knowing when to move on

"After eight years at the helm of Ingka Group, the operating entity behind home-furnishing giant Ikea, CEO Jesper Brodin is stepping down. Brodin explains why now was the right time to make the move, and shares how he's steered Ikea through a whirlwind of changes, from rising tariffs to shifting public sentiments around DEI and ESG, as well as an evolving relationship between global business and governments."

"Thirty years in the company, eight years as CEO, and I think it's been a decision that's been in the making for a year or so on my side. I sometimes tell myself there is no such thing as perfect timing. Either you're a little bit early or you could be too late, but I think, basically, the company is in a good place, we are performing."

Jesper Brodin will move on from Ingka Group after 30 years with the company and eight years as CEO, with his departure scheduled for November. Brodin cites readiness of the company, solid performance, and completed leadership of sustainability and digital transformations as reasons for the timing. He describes the decision as long-considered and reflects that perfect timing rarely exists. The organization maintains internal succession processes and is promoting a deputy CEO, marking the first non-Swedish CEO to lead the operating entity behind Ikea. Brodin emphasizes continuity and internal leadership development.

Read at Fast Company