He introduced the world Kallax cabinets and Poäng armchairs, however can outgoing Ikea CEO Jesper Brodin assist lead the world’s largest refugee group?
Brodin could have the possibility, because the Swedish authorities introduced him as its candidate to grow to be the brand new United Nations excessive commissioner for refugees (UNHCR) final Monday. If chosen, Brodin’s profession pivot would spotlight an exceptionally uncommon trajectory amongst international CEOs: going from enterprise to a multilateral worldwide group. The UNHCR, the group says, protects individuals compelled to flee, delivers emergency assist in crises, and helps displaced individuals discover a place to name dwelling.
Whereas some businessmen, similar to Donald Trump within the U.S. or Silvio Berlusconi in Italy, have entered nationwide politics, nearly none have crossed over to go a serious United Nations establishment. UN jobs are extra usually reserved for profession diplomats and politicians, whereas personal sector leaders have been principally absent in UN management.
(Alexander De Croo, the designated new head of the United Nations Growth Programme, maybe comes closest. He began his profession at Boston Consulting Group, and stayed there for a number of years, earlier than getting into Belgian politics like his father earlier than him, and changing into prime minister. His spouse is nonetheless a companion on the consulting agency.)
“I used to be stunned to obtain the nomination. It was not one thing I had deliberate,” Brodin informed Fortune in a Zoom interview after the information broke. “However with my international expertise main Ikea in additional than 40 nations, I consider I can convey helpful expertise and management to the UN.”
Brodin’s personal sector expertise was additionally a key cause why the Swedish authorities nominated him. “The UN system can be strengthened by an individual with enterprise expertise, particularly given the most important challenges now dealing with the UN,” the Swedish international ministry mentioned in a press release endorsing the Ikea veteran.
Nevertheless uncommon, the selection is according to Brodin’s said mission at Ikea, which was “to create a greater on a regular basis life for the many individuals.”
Beneath Brodin, Ikea has participated in a number of UN and UNHCR tasks globally. These embrace an Ikea coaching and expertise program for refugees, which so far reached over 3,700 individuals, and Ikea’s retail arm offering direct job alternatives to refugees from Syria and extra just lately, Ukraine, Brodin mentioned. Brodin is stepping down as Ikea CEO in November.
The UN secretary-general will choose his alternative for UNHCR, sending the nominee to member states for affirmation, by the top of the 12 months.
Ultimately, if Brodin is confirmed, it could be as a result of a rational enterprise strategy is just what the UN wants proper now. The group is in disaster and dealing with a money crunch, exacerbated by the Trump administration’s funding cuts.
In that gentle, Brodin’s observe document of economizing on prices and assets at Ikea could also be the actual recreation changer if he’s appointed.
