Why Is IKEA CEO Jesper Brodin Leaving After 30 Years?

Jesper Brodin has confirmed he will leave his role as Chief Executive Officer and President of Ingka Group, IKEA’s largest franchisee, bringing a 30-year tenure with the company to a close.

Posting on LinkedIn, Jesper said: “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.”

Brodin’s rise through IKEA ranks

Jesper started his journey with the business in 1995 as a Purchase Manager in Pakistan. 

Four years later, he moved into a strategic role as assistant to both IKEA Founder Ingvar Kamprad and then CEO of Ingka Group, Anders Dahlvig. From there, he continued to build experience across the organisation, eventually becoming Supply Chain Manager in 2011.

He then progresses to CEO of IKEA Range and Supply, responsible for overseeing the product range and supply chain strategy. 

In 2017, he took over as CEO of Ingka Group.

Throughout his time at IKEA, Jesper has helped to shape the company’s sustainability goals and approach, particularly around reducing waste and cutting emissions. 

Environmental awareness, he says, has always been a key cornerstone of how the business operates, noting: “We 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.”

Leadership and culture at the core

Jesper has always positioned culture as a key part of his leadership. In particular, he advocates for the value of creating an inclusive environment, saying: “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.”

He regularly shares his approach to leadership on LinkedIn, with his posts encouraging others to embrace failure and take risks. He is a fan of action over hesitation, sharing that “fear of making mistakes is the enemy of development,” and that “you shouldn’t ask for permission but ask for forgiveness to build on success.”

Among those recognising his impact is Karen Pflug, Chief Sustainability Officer at Ingka Group. In a LinkedIn post, she recalled: “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.”

A new leader steps up

Jesper confirmed he will hand over leadership of Ingka Group in November 2025 to current Deputy CEO Juvencio Maeztu. 

Juvencio started his career with IKEA as a Store Manager in Madrid. He has now worked with the company for 25 years and held the role of Deputy CEO for more than seven.

Jesper appears confident he is leaving the position in good hands, saying about Juvencio: “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 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.”