New Ingka Group CEO Pledges to Put People and the Planet at the Heart of Business Decisions

Pictured: Jesper Brodin, left, and Juvencio Maeztu, right.

Jesper Brodin has announced that he will be leaving his role as chief executive officer and president of Ikea’s largest franchisee holding company after eight years at the helm. His departure is scheduled for November 2025. In a statement shared on LinkedIn on August 13, Brodin reflected on the journey, saying he is confident that his successor “will lead with purpose and heart” and bring “a deep commitment” to environmental sustainability.

He wrote: “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.”

Brodin will hand over the role to Juvencio Maeztu, currently the group’s chief financial officer and deputy CEO.

Three Decades with Ingka Group

Brodin joined Ingka Group nearly 30 years ago and rose through the ranks by assuming regional leadership positions and overseeing supply chain operations before assuming the top role in 2017.

One of his central missions as CEO has been to unite Ikea’s core values of affordability and accessibility with ambitious environmental goals. This included the rollout of the company’s “People and Planet Positive” strategy, which envisions IKEA becoming climate-positive, eliminating single-use plastics, and sourcing 100% renewable energy.

For Brodin, sustainability has never been an optional extra. He has consistently framed it as essential to both the business's resilience and delivering value to customers.

The results speak for themselves. By 2020, Ingka Group was sourcing and generating more renewable energy than it consumed. In 2023, Ikea achieved a milestone by decoupling its emissions from its financial growth, recording a 24.3 per cent reduction in climate footprint compared to 2016 levels, while increasing revenue by more than 30 per cent over the same period.

Earlier this year, Ingka Group published its first Climate Transition Plan, setting out a clear roadmap to maximise emissions reductions for every euro invested. The plan includes both minimum reduction thresholds and more ambitious long-term targets.

Brodin says the company’s “house is in order” and that now feels like the right time for him to make a change, both professionally and personally.

Maeztu, who will step into the CEO and president role, began his Ikea career in 2001. He quickly progressed from store management to leadership roles in London and later India, driving major growth initiatives in both regions.

In London, Maeztu played a pivotal role in the launch of Ikea’s flagship Greenwich store, described in 2019 as the most sustainable Ikea location in the UK. The store incorporates a 2,600-panel rooftop solar installation, ground-source heating, rainwater harvesting systems, and energy-efficient lighting.

Maeztu has also championed initiatives to decarbonise last-mile deliveries and expand the refurbishment and resale of Ikea products. His track record suggests that he will continue the company’s drive to marry commercial success with environmental stewardship.

Maeztu said: “I feel deeply grateful, humble and responsible for the trust and confidence placed in me.

“Working with [Brodin] for the past seven years has been a true privilege. I’m inspired by his courageous leadership, his remarkable contributions to IKEA, and, most of all, grateful for our friendship.

“After 25 years in the company, 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. And I believe, now more than ever, that it’s good business to be a good business.”

“The future excites me. We have a strong foundation, a clear direction, and nearly 170,000 amazing colleagues around the world. Together, we will make IKEA more affordable, accessible, and sustainable for the many people.”

Brodin said of Maeztu: “His values-based leadership and deep commitment to business, people and planet have always inspired me and us, and I know he will lead with purpose at heart.”