Håkan Nordkvist

CEO of the Net Zero Company, Former Head of Sustainability Innovation for IKEA & Member of the Board of Advisors of the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership

Håkan Nordkvist’s Biography:

Håkan Nordkvist is a globally recognised sustainability and innovation expert best known for his transformative work as the former Head of Sustainability Innovation for the IKEA Group. During his time at IKEA, Håkan played an integral role in developing many of the company’s pioneering sustainability services and helped shape its circular business agenda. He was responsible for building IKEA’s clean energy service, which now operates across 13 countries and has become one of the world’s largest clean energy businesses. Renowned for his expertise in innovation, sustainability, intrapreneurship, circularity and leadership, Håkan is a highly sought-after keynote speaker who shares practical insights into driving large-scale sustainable transformation within global organisations.

Håkan earned an MSc in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Luleå Tekniska before beginning his corporate career. In 2001, he joined IKEA as a Quality Manager for IKEA Trading, steadily progressing through a series of senior operational and strategic positions. Over the following decade, he held roles including Global Business Compliance Manager, Global Category Manager Construction and Global Category Manager Operations for IKEA Indirect Materials & Services AB. His ability to combine innovation with commercial strategy ultimately led to his appointment as Head of Sustainability Innovation for IKEA in 2011, where he led the sustainability and innovation team for more than 11 years.

Alongside his corporate achievements, Håkan has contributed significantly to the global sustainability sector through advisory and entrepreneurial roles. He is one of the founders and chairman of Launch Nordic, a collaborative initiative created with Nike, NASA, USAID and Novozymes to accelerate sustainable innovation. He also serves as a Member of the Board of Advisors for the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and as a Strategic Advisor to the Board of XFrame.

Another major area of Håkan’s work has been food innovation and sustainable consumption. While at IKEA, he introduced plant-based protein alternatives and new sustainable dishes into IKEA restaurants, while also championing urban and vertical farming initiatives to locally produce lettuce and herbs. In addition, he implemented efficient food waste strategies that aligned sustainability with business growth. Today, as CEO of the Net Zero Company and Owner of Jephi AB, Håkan continues to advise organisations on how to build resilient, future-focused businesses capable of thriving in a low-carbon economy.

Why Hire Håkan Nordkvist?

Håkan Nordkvist is hired as a speaker for his rare ability to combine global corporate leadership with practical sustainability innovation. Having helped transform IKEA into a leader in clean energy, circularity and sustainable food systems, he delivers actionable insights on how organisations can future-proof their operations while driving commercial success. Håkan’s presentations are engaging, forward-thinking and rooted in real-world experience, making him an ideal speaker for conferences and leadership events focused on innovation, ESG, climate strategy, intrapreneurship and business transformation in a rapidly changing world.

Håkan Nordkvist’s Career Highlights:

Here are some of the key milestones that define Håkan Nordkvist’s remarkable career:

• 2023 – Became CEO of the Net Zero Company, helping organisations accelerate their transition towards sustainable and low-carbon business models.
• 2023 – Appointed Strategic Advisor to the Board of XFrame, supporting innovation and future-focused sustainability strategies.
• 2023 – Joined the Board of Advisors for the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, contributing expertise on sustainable transformation.
• 2022 – Became Owner of Jephi AB, continuing his work as an entrepreneur and sustainability innovator.
• 2019 – Appointed Board Member of BoKlok, supporting the development of sustainable and affordable housing solutions.
• 2011 – Became Head of Sustainability Innovation for IKEA, leading sustainability and innovation initiatives for more than a decade.
• 2011 – Helped implement IKEA’s circular business agenda and expanded the company’s clean energy services globally.
• 2010 – Served as Global Category Manager Operations for IKEA Indirect Materials & Services AB, overseeing operational development projects.
• 2008 – Worked as Global Category Manager Construction for IKEA Indirect Materials & Services AB, focusing on procurement and construction strategy.
• 2001 – Joined IKEA Trading as a Quality Manager, beginning a career that would shape the company’s global sustainability innovation efforts.