"Brodin may have the chance, as the Swedish government announced him as its candidate to become the new United Nations high commissioner for refugees (UNHCR) last Monday. If selected, Brodin's career pivot would highlight an exceptionally rare trajectory among global CEOs: going from business to a multilateral international organization. The UNHCR, the organization says, protects people forced to flee, delivers emergency aid in crises, and helps displaced people find a place to call home."
"While some businessmen, such as Donald Trump in the U.S. or Silvio Berlusconi in Italy, have entered national politics, virtually none have crossed over to head a major United Nations institution. UN jobs are more typically reserved for career diplomats and politicians, while private sector leaders have been mostly absent in UN leadership. (Alexander De Croo, the designated new head of the United Nations Development Programme, perhaps comes closest."
""I was surprised to receive the nomination. It was not something I had planned," Brodin told Fortune in a Zoom interview after the news broke. "But with my global experience leading Ikea in more than 40 countries, I believe I can bring valuable experience and leadership to the UN." Brodin's private sector experience was also a key reason why the Swedish government nominated him."
Jesper Brodin, outgoing Ikea CEO, was nominated by the Swedish government as its candidate for United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. If selected, his appointment would be an exceptionally rare move from corporate leadership to head a major UN institution. The UNHCR protects people forced to flee, delivers emergency aid, and helps displaced people find homes. Private sector leaders have rarely led UN agencies, with UN leadership more commonly drawn from career diplomats and politicians. Brodin said he was surprised by the nomination but believes his experience leading Ikea across more than 40 countries would bring valuable leadership. The Swedish foreign ministry cited business experience as strengthening the UN system amid major challenges.
Read at Fortune
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