Pia Heidenmark Cook

Former Group Chief Sustainability Officer at IKEA, Senior Advisor & Author of ‘Embedding Sustainability’

Pia Heidenmark Cook’s Biography:

Pia Heidenmark Cook is a dynamic and inspiring sustainability leader known for her engaging, insightful, and authentic speaking style. As a speaker, Pia combines deep industry expertise with a warm, approachable presence that motivates audiences to take meaningful action. Her presentations are rich with real-world examples, strategic insights, and a forward-looking vision that bridges business growth with environmental responsibility. Whether addressing global conferences or corporate boards, Pia is recognised for making complex sustainability challenges both accessible and actionable.

Pia began her career as an environmental consultant for Tellus Miljomanagement in 2000, laying the groundwork for a lifelong commitment to responsible business. She soon advanced to senior roles, including Vice President of Responsible Business for The Rezidor Hotel Group and Chairman of the International Tourism Partnership at the International Business Leaders Forum. Her early career demonstrated a strong ability to integrate environmental strategy within corporate operations, showing that sustainability could drive both brand value and commercial success.

Over the following decades, Pia became one of the most respected figures in corporate sustainability, particularly through her extensive career with IKEA. Rising from Head of Communications at The IKEA Foundation to Chief Sustainability Officer, she played a pivotal role in embedding sustainability across the company’s global operations. Her leadership not only reduced environmental impact but also helped redefine how major retailers approach responsible growth. Alongside her work at IKEA, Pia contributed her expertise as Co-Chair of The Retailer’s Environmental Action Programme, influencing sector-wide transformation across Europe.

Today, Pia continues to shape the global conversation on sustainable leadership. As Board Advisor to Achilles Information Limited and Senior Advisor to Eurazeo, she supports organisations in future-proofing their business models through sustainable practices. She also serves on multiple advisory and non-executive boards, including Bupa, Decathlon, and Origin Materials. Her achievements have earned her recognition as one of CEO Magazine’s Top 20 Sustainability Voices, a recipient of the Global 50 Women in Sustainability Award, and a Top 10 Female Leader in Sustainability by the WBCSD. Her book, ‘Embedding Sustainability’, encapsulates decades of experience in guiding companies towards a greener, more equitable future.

Why Hire Pia Heidenmark Cook?

Pia is an in-demand global speaker who inspires audiences to rethink how businesses can grow while acting responsibly. Her widely recognised TED Talk, ‘How IKEA is Growing Business Whilst Shrinking Emissions’, has influenced leaders across industries by demonstrating that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand. Drawing on decades of corporate leadership, she offers a unique blend of strategic insight, authenticity, and practical experience. Pia’s expertise stems from years in senior sustainability roles and her service on numerous international boards, giving her the credibility to speak with authority about the realities of transforming business models for a greener future. She connects with audiences through her engaging storytelling style, empowering them to translate ambition into meaningful, measurable change.

Beyond her corporate achievements, Pia brings an academic and thought-leadership dimension to her talks. She has lectured at prestigious institutions, including Lund University, INSEAD, and the Cambridge Institute for Sustainable Leadership, where she equips future leaders with the skills to navigate sustainability challenges. Her content resonates with executives, entrepreneurs, and policymakers seeking to understand how purpose-driven leadership can unlock innovation and growth. Audiences consistently describe her talks as insightful, energising, and deeply motivating, making Pia an exceptional choice for global conferences and leadership events.

Pia Heidenmark Cook’s Career Highlights:

Here are some of the key milestones that define Pia Heidenmark Cook’s remarkable career in sustainability:

• 2025 – Appointed Board Advisor of Achilles Information Limited, guiding strategic direction and advancing sustainability within global supply chains.
• 2023 – Published Embedding Sustainability, a landmark book capturing two decades of leadership experience in corporate responsibility.
• 2023 – Joined the Advisory Board of Decathlon, supporting the company’s global mission to embed sustainability into retail operations.
• 2022 – Appointed to the Board of Directors for Bupa, influencing corporate sustainability and long-term responsible business growth.
• 2022 – Became Strategic Advisor to the Board of Teneo, advising international clients on integrating sustainability into strategy.
• 2021 – Served as Senior Advisor for IKEA, continuing to shape the company’s sustainability transformation and climate commitments.
• 2021 – Appointed Non-Executive Director on the Board of Origin Materials, contributing to innovation in renewable and low-carbon materials.
• 2021 – Joined the Senior Advisory Board for the Boards Impact Forum, promoting climate and sustainability leadership at board level.
• 2017 – Promoted to Chief Sustainability Officer for IKEA, leading the company’s global sustainability strategy and circular economy initiatives.
• 2014 – Appointed Co-Chair of The Retailer’s Environmental Action Programme, driving collective industry action on environmental impact.