Ikea's Ohlsson Wins Columbia Biz School Award

October 26, 2011  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on October 27, 2011

Columbia Business School has awarded Ikea Group President and CEO Mikael Ohlsson its 2011 Botwinick Prize in Business Ethics.

The Botwinick Prize is an annual award presented by the Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. Center for Leadership and Ethics, which acts as the umbrella for all activities on leadership and ethics at Columbia Business School. Ohlsson received the award for his commitment to ethics, sustainability, and transparency.

Ohlsson received the award at a ceremony Tuesday, where he spoke to Columbia Business School students about his 30-year career with Ikea and his dedication to contributing to a better everyday life for people around the world. 

In 2009, Ohlsson became president and CEO of the IKEA Group, which now has 287 stores in 26 countries. He began his career in the carpet department at the Ikea store in Linkoping, Sweden. He is known for his retailing savvy and for being an open and inclusive leader. While using resources wisely has long been a priority for Ikea, under Ohlsson's leadership the company has strengthened its focus on sustainability, one of the core long term strategies for the Ikea Group. The company has a long-term goal of using 100 percent renewable energy, and to support this initiative over the next few years solar panel systems are being installed in roughly 150 stores and distribution centers around the world. Ikea also helps customers live a more sustainable life in their homes by offering more sustainable choices, such as energy efficient light bulbs. The company partners with WWF to tackle environmental issues such as climate change, forestry, and responsible production of cotton.

"Mr. Ohlsson is a visionary leader who has shown exemplary success in achieving sustainable practices and transparency to stakeholders," said Columbia Business School Dean Glenn Hubbard. "The School is proud to recognize a businessman who is an important role model for our students and the entire business community."

"We at Ikea are honored to have been chosen to receive Columbia Business School's 2011 Botwinick Prize in Business Ethics," Ohlsson said. "The Ikea vision is to create a better everyday life for many people. It is what guides us in everything that we do including the area of ethics. However, we know that there are many things that still remain to be done. I hope Ikea will continue to take a leading role and be an inspiration to others."