IKEA appoints new country manager for the UK and Ireland
IKEA has appointed Peter Jelkeby as its country retail manager for the UK and Ireland.
Jelkeby will succeed Javier Quiñones who is taking on the same position in the US.
In his new role, Jelkeby will be tasked with further strengthening IKEA’s position in the UK and Ireland and will lead the ongoing transformation of the business.
Jelkeby said: “I’m delighted to return to IKEA UK and Ireland at such a significant point in our history, as we evolve and renew our business to ensure IKEA’s continued success. Building on many years of solid growth, we are responding to the changing needs of our customers to secure an IKEA that is affordable, reaches more people, delivers excellent customer experience and is truly people and planet positive.”
Swedish-born, Jelkeby previously worked with IKEA for over 20 years in Sweden, Russia, Vietnam and the UK and Ireland. After joining the company as a part-time worker in his local store, he then took on roles such as store manager at IKEA Lakeside, sales and communications manager, and deputy retail manager for IKEA UK and Ireland.
More recently, he worked with Swedish retailer Clas Ohlson where he held the positions of executive vice president/chief operating officer, director of operations and acting chief executive.
In February, IKEA opened its most sustainable UK and Ireland store to date in London’s Greenwich, and a month later chose Bromley for the opening of its second UK IKEA Planning Studio format store which specialises in kitchens and bedrooms.
