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 might have the prospect, because the Swedish authorities introduced him as its candidate to develop into 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 world CEOs: going from enterprise to a multilateral worldwide group. The UNHCR, the group says, protects individuals pressured to flee, delivers emergency support in crises, and helps displaced individuals discover a place to name house.
Whereas some businessmen, comparable to Donald Trump within the U.S. or Silvio Berlusconi in Italy, have entered nationwide politics, just about none have crossed over to go a serious United Nations establishment. UN jobs are extra sometimes reserved for profession diplomats and politicians, whereas non-public sector leaders have been principally absent in UN management.
(Alexander De Croo, the designated new head of the United Nations Improvement Programme, maybe comes closest. He began his profession at Boston Consulting Group, and stayed there for a number of years, earlier than coming into Belgian politics like his father earlier than him, and turning into prime minister. His spouse remains to be a accomplice on the consulting agency.)
Brodin’s non-public sector expertise was additionally a key motive why the Swedish authorities nominated him. “The UN system would be strengthened by a person with business experience, especially given the major challenges now facing the UN,” the Swedish overseas ministry mentioned in a press release endorsing the Ikea veteran.
Nonetheless uncommon, the selection is per Brodin’s acknowledged mission at Ikea, which was “to create a better everyday life for the many people.”
Underneath Brodin, Ikea has participated in a number of UN and UNHCR tasks globally. These embody an Ikea coaching and abilities program for refugees, which up to now reached over 3,700 individuals, and Ikea’s retail arm offering direct job alternatives to refugees from Syria and extra 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 tip of the 12 months.
In the long run, if Brodin is confirmed, it could be as a result of a rational enterprise method is solely 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 mild, Brodin’s observe file of economizing on prices and sources at Ikea could also be the true recreation changer if he’s appointed.
