Jia Jiang
World’s Foremost Authority on Rejection; Top Inspirational and Resilience Keynote; Most-Viewed TED Talk Speaker
Jesper Brodin
Former CEO, Ingka Group (IKEA) | Chair, The Earthshot Prize | TIME 100 | Co-Chair, UN Global Compact | Sustainable Business & Leadership
Few executives have proven at global scale what Jesper Brodin spent three decades building: that purpose and profit are not opposing forces. As former CEO of Ingka Group (IKEA) and Chair of The Earthshot Prize, he brings boardroom-tested insight on sustainable transformation, crisis leadership, and what it takes to lead 170,000 people through radical change. Audiences leave with a new conviction that the businesses built to last are the ones built to matter.
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Jesper Brodin biography
Jesper Brodin is one of the world’s most credible voices at the intersection of business transformation and sustainable leadership. Over a career spanning more than three decades at IKEA’s Ingka Group, he rose from purchase manager in Pakistan to CEO of one of the world’s largest retail organizations — a company with over 170,000 co-workers, revenues exceeding €47 billion, and operations across more than 30 countries. As sustainability speaker and former CEO, Jesper Brodin brings rare authority: not the conviction of an outside advocate, but of an executive who embedded sustainability into the DNA of a global business while growing it.
His tenure as CEO — which began in 2017 — was defined by bold decisions under pressure. When Covid-19 shuttered IKEA’s physical retail estate overnight and wiped out 75% of turnover, Brodin’s leadership response was counterintuitive: rather than retreating, the company doubled down on investment. The result was a 45% acceleration in e-commerce growth, a successful pivot to omnichannel retail at scale, and an organization that emerged from the crisis in a structurally stronger position. His track record proves that values-led leadership and commercial performance are not in tension — they are mutually reinforcing.
Sustainability, Purpose, and Global Influence
Beyond IKEA, Brodin has made sustainability a personal and professional mission. He serves as Chair of the B Team — the coalition of global business leaders founded by Richard Branson and Jochen Zeitz — and as Co-Chair of the UN Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative. In 2024, TIME magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world. In March 2026, he was appointed Chair of the Board of The Earthshot Prize, the landmark environmental prize founded by HRH Prince William, succeeding Christiana Figueres and guiding the prize through the second half of its ten-year mission to scale solutions that repair the planet.
As a speaker, Jesper Brodin commands the room with the credibility of a leader who has navigated transformation at the highest level — not as theory, but as lived experience. Senior audiences gain practical frameworks for leading through crisis and uncertainty, integrating sustainability into core business strategy, and building cultures of purpose and resilience. His message is both urgent and optimistic: that the most enduring businesses of the next decade will be those that prove good business and good values are the same thing.
Jesper Brodin Speaking Videos
Jesper Brodin On Why There’s No Going Back On Renewables
Jesper Brodin: Leading Ingka Group | IKEA Through Sustainability
Jesper Brodin Keynote Topics
The debate is over — sustainability is not a cost center, it is the most powerful long-term competitive advantage a business can build. Drawing on his tenure leading one of the world's largest retail organizations, Jesper Brodin dismantles the false choice between environmental commitment and commercial performance. This keynote equips executive audiences with the mindset and practical strategies to embed purpose into operations, win the trust of customers and talent, and position their organizations for the next era of growth.
When Covid-19 erased 75% of IKEA's revenue overnight, Jesper Brodin made a decision that defied conventional crisis management: keep investing. This keynote draws directly from that experience — and from three decades of navigating transformation at scale — to explore what real resilience looks like in a leader. Brodin shares the frameworks, the instincts, and the values-based convictions that allow leaders to move forward with clarity when the path ahead is invisible.
The most dangerous moment for a great organization is when change is necessary but the culture resists it. Jesper Brodin led one of the most ambitious omnichannel transformations in modern retail, while simultaneously advancing one of the sector's most credible sustainability agendas. This keynote explores how large, complex organizations can drive genuine transformation — not through top-down mandates but through shared values, distributed ownership, and a leadership approach that trusts people to move the institution forward.
Trust has become the ultimate business asset — and it is earned through action, not communication. In an era defined by heightened stakeholder expectations, geopolitical volatility, and the climate imperative, the role of the business leader has expanded beyond the P&L. Drawing on his work at the UN Global Compact, the B Team, and The Earthshot Prize, Brodin offers a frank, experience-grounded perspective on how today's leaders can step into broader responsibility — and why those who do will build more durable, more magnetic organizations.
Speaker topics
FAQs on Booking Jesper Brodin
Why Jesper Brodin?
Booking Jesper Brodin for your event means bringing one of the most credible and compelling business leaders of his generation to your stage. As the former CEO who transformed Ingka Group (IKEA) into a global benchmark for sustainable business — while growing revenues, navigating a global pandemic, and driving one of the most ambitious omnichannel transformations in retail history — Brodin does not speak in abstractions. He delivers hard-won insight from the front line of leadership at scale. His combination of operational depth, values-driven philosophy, and genuine global influence (TIME 100, UN Global Compact Co-Chair, Chair of The Earthshot Prize) makes him uniquely compelling for leadership summits, sustainability forums, and executive strategy events. Contact Aurum Speakers Bureau to check availability and secure Jesper Brodin for your next event.
What happened to Jesper Brodin at IKEA?
Jesper Brodin joined Ingka Group (IKEA) in 1995 as a purchase manager in Pakistan and rose through roles in supply chain, product development, and retail leadership. He was appointed CEO in 2017 and led the company for approximately eight years, overseeing a period of major transformation that included a global omnichannel pivot, deep sustainability commitments, and resilient navigation through the Covid-19 pandemic. He stepped down as CEO in November 2025 and remained on the Management Board through early 2026.
What is The Earthshot Prize and why is Jesper Brodin its Chair?
The Earthshot Prize is the world's most prestigious environmental award, founded by HRH Prince William with the mission to find, grow, and scale the boldest solutions to the planet's greatest environmental challenges over a ten-year period. In March 2026, Jesper Brodin was appointed Chair of the Board, succeeding Christiana Figueres. His appointment reflects both his track record embedding sustainability into a global business at IKEA and his active role in global sustainability governance through the B Team and the UN Global Compact.
What topics does sustainability speaker Jesper Brodin cover?
Jesper Brodin speaks on sustainable leadership, business transformation, leading through crisis and uncertainty, the future of retail and omnichannel strategy, values-based leadership, and the business case for purpose. His talks resonate with C-suite audiences, board members, and senior leadership teams who need more than inspiration — they need a roadmap. Whether your event is focused on ESG strategy, organizational transformation, or resilient leadership, Brodin delivers with authority and conviction. Reach out to Aurum Speakers Bureau to explore how Jesper Brodin's expertise can elevate your event.
How to book Jesper Brodin as a keynote speaker?
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Jesper Brodin as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Jesper Brodin's availability for a speaking engagement. One of our booking agents will respond to your request immediately and contact the speaker to let them know you want to hire them. We will assist you with obtaining speaking fees, booking information, and confirming availability for Jesper Brodin or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
How much is Jesper Brodin speaking fee?
Jesper Brodin speaking fees are determined by several factors, including the event's date, whether it's a virtual or in-person event, the duration, format, preparation required for their speech, and more. The same applies to the cost to hire any other top expert speakers and celebrities. The Speaker Fee Range listed on our website is simply a guideline and is subject to change without notice. If you would like to hire Jesper Brodin to deliver a keynote speech for your event, please fill out the contact form or email us at info@aurumbureau.com with as much detail as possible. One of our experienced agents will get in touch with you and let you know exactly how much it will cost to book Jesper Brodin.
How can I contact Jesper Brodin?
We only work with Jesper Brodin on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking Jesper Brodin and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having Jesper Brodin speak at your event. We will be your sole point of contact throughout the process. Get in touch with Aurum Speakers Bureau today, and we will reach out to any motivational speaker or celebrity you want to enquire about speaking at your event. If you wish to contact Jesper Brodin for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.
Can I book Jesper Brodin for a virtual keynote?
Yes, Jesper Brodin is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Jesper Brodin for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
