The world’s largest furniture company has a new CEO after Inter IKEA, the parent company of IKEA and the world’s largest furniture retailer, appointed Jakub Jankowski as its next Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2026. Wood Central understands that Jankowski will succeed Jon Abrahamsson Ring, who steps down after a 20-year career at the furniture giant, including the past five years as leader of the Inter IKEA Group.
Jankowski brings more than a quarter-century of IKEA experience to the role. Since 2020, he has served as Managing Director of IKEA Industry, overseeing 20 production units across Europe. Under his leadership, the division navigated COVID-19 disruptions, scaled digitalisation in factories, and expanded the use of renewable materials—including modular design and wood-recycling initiatives.
“I am truly honoured and humbled by the task,” Jankowski said. “There is only one way to build success and continue to develop IKEA as the leader in life at home. And that is to do it together, with all parts of the value chain. I strongly believe in the IKEA direction and in continuing the work to make IKEA even more affordable, accessible and sustainable.”
Jankowski began his IKEA journey in Poland in 2001 and has since held senior positions in Romania, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Sweden. Observers expect him to leverage that breadth of operational expertise at Inter IKEA Group, which consumes more than 14 million cubic metres of timber annually—roughly 1 per cent of global demand—to manufacture its products.
In his new role, Jankowski will be responsible for refining the company’s growth strategy, expanding its footprint in emerging markets, and driving forward the “People & Planet Positive” sustainable business agenda. Last year, IKEA Group generated more than €40 billion in revenues and employed more than 200,000 people in its global workforce, managing everything from product design and concept development to global supply-chain logistics.
Outgoing CEO Jon Abrahamsson Ring began his career at IKEA’s Örebro store and progressed through executive postings in Canada, China, the Netherlands and Sweden. He also served as assistant to IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad before taking the helm of Inter IKEA Group in 2020. During his tenure, he guided the organisation through a global pandemic, acute labour shortages, and an intensified industry focus on environmental responsibility.
“I am proud of what we have achieved together,” Abrahamsson Ring said. “Now is the time to hand over the baton and recognise the commitment of our colleagues, franchise partners and suppliers. IKEA is, and will always be, in my heart.”
Yesterday, Anders Dahlvig, chairman of Inter IKEA Holding B.V., paid tribute to both leaders: “Jon has successfully steered the company through transformation and upheld the IKEA vision and values,” he said. “Jakub Jankowski is a value-driven leader with deep knowledge of the value chain. I am delighted he will take on this role and guide IKEA into its next chapter.”
