Håkan Nordkvist is the Former Head of Sustainability Innovation for the IKEA Group. An exceptionally talented leader with a human-centric vision, he is known for his innovative solutions and has played an integral role in developing many of IKEA’s sustainability services, now working as the CEO of the Net Zero Company. Talented and courageous, Håkan is gifted at setting bold futuristic goals and ambitions and then successfully implementing those goals through innovative initiatives, road maps and creative businesses and solutions for a better future.
Holding an MSc in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Lulea Tekniska, Håkan joined IKEA as a Quality Manager in 2001. Over the course of his career, he has been heavily involved in many innovative projects for IKEA. Leading the sustainability and innovation team for 11 years, Håkan combined cutting-edge innovation with sustainability to build new businesses for IKEA. His team was responsible for building IKEA’s clean energy service which now operates in 13 countries around the globe. Today it is one of the largest clean energy businesses.
Another project Håkan directed was food innovation. He introduced plant-based protein and new dishes to the IKEA restaurant and utilised urban/vertical farming to locally produce lettuce and herbs, in addition to creating efficient food waste initiatives. Håkan played a fundamental role in implementing IKEA’s circular business agenda. This involved developing new innovative business models like Furniture as A Service, IKEA Second Hand and IKEA Take Back and Repair. This was followed by a local production set-up with 3D printing, collaborative robotics, and generative design.
Outside IKEA, Håkan is one of the founders and chairman of Launch Nordic, a creative platform which was created with Nike, NASA, USAID and Novozymes. Moreover, Håkan served on the board of BoKlok a company which specialises in building affordable sustainable housing, and has most recently become a Member of the Board of Advisors of the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and a Strategic Advisor to the Board of XFrame. As a speaker, Håkan is highly articulate on the topics of innovation, sustainability, intrapreneurship, circularity and leadership. Hire Håkan Nordkvist if you are looking to accelerate action toward a more sustainable future.
How to hire Håkan Nordkvist
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Håkan Nordkvist for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
Hakan Nordkvist's official speaking topics are listed below:
- Sustainability
- Innovation
- Intrapreneurship
- Circularity
- Leadership
Official Feedback from In-Person & Virtual Events
"On the fourth day your session entitled ‘Delivering Sustainable Lifestyles for a World of 9 Billion People’ was also well received, scoring 84%. For the delegates, these case study sessions were extremely impactful in seeing some of the theories in real-life practical examples for leaders. Please see below for some comments shared by the delegation: I really like the sharing from corporates' point of view on how they implement sustainability in their business It was really useful to hear from people in industry today about what they are doing and how they are approaching things. Really great to talk about solutions and plans, especially with a focus on doing rather than strategy. Wow - probably the most enjoyable and impactful day of the week." - Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership
"Håkan is a great leader who constantly inspires and drives business growth with positive impact. It's been a pleasure and a privilege to work with him for many years; I could write an essay about the many traits I've admired and learned during that time... inclusive and authentic style, and his unique ability to quickly build trust and find win-win solutions... count yourself lucky if you get the chance to work with him." - Alejandro, Head of Retail Energy Business, Volvo Cars
- 2023 - CEO of the Net Zero Company
- 2023 - Strategic Advisor to the Board of XFrame
- 2023 - Member of the Board of Advisors of the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership
- 2022 - Owner of Jephi AB
- 2019 - Board Member of BoKlok
- 2011 - Head of Sustainability Innovation for IKEA
- 2010 - Global Category Manager Operations for IKEA Indirect Materials & Services AB
- 2008 - Global Category Manager Construction for IKEA Indirect Materials & Services AB
- 2007 - Global Business Compliance Manager for IKEA Indirect Materials & Services AB
- 2001 - Quality Manager for IKEA Trading
