IKEA appoints Gillian Drakeford as country manager for UK & Ireland
Home furnishings giant IKEA has appointed Gillian Drakeford as country manager for the UK and Ireland.
Previously IKEA’s retail country manager in China, Drakeford will succeed Carole Reddish who has been appointed as the country manager for Norway.
Drakeford began her career with IKEA in 1987 and formed part of the management team that opened the company’s first UK based store in Warrington. Her later assignments included working at the Birmingham store before moving to the external franchise organization in Hong Kong.
Having worked with IKEA in China for the last 10 years, Drakeford was appointed as retail country manager in 2008. During her time in the role, she grew the number of stores in the country from six to 11, with a further four stores planned to open within the next calendar year.
Never Miss a Retail Update!The retailer’s flagship store in Beijing currently receives the highest number of IKEA visitors in the world.
Jeanette Söderberg, region retail manager, North Central Europe said: “I am happy to welcome Gillian to the UK and Ireland. Her personal capabilities, experience and energizing leadership will be of great support in delivering the UK and Irelands strong business agenda”.
