IKEA is the world’s leading retailer of home furnishings – focused on creating “a better everyday life for the many people.” The company is also a sustainability pioneer, fully committed to become people and planet positive, and a fully circular business by 2030.
Each year, the IKEA sustainability team convenes for an Annual Sustainability Matrix Meeting, bringing together key players from 40 different markets around the world, to share plans, explore challenges and opportunities, and develop a renewed sense of commitment for the year ahead. IKEA needed a knowledgeable and inspiring keynote speaker to stimulate ideas for how the company could take the circular economy forward in a way that would contribute towards their future business success.
In meeting this major challenge, the IKEA sustainability team read one of Mike Townsend’s thought-provoking articles concerning The Heroes and Villains of the Circular Economy Seeking further inspiration and challenge, IKEA invited our CEO, Mike Townsend, to deliver a keynote speech for their sustainability leaders and managers from around the world.
Mike delivered a one-hour motivational session to inspire and challenge – sharing possibilities and examples – for how IKEA can become a circular economy leader, developing a more resilient and customer-centric business model, more relevant for the 21st century, while delivering more sustainable and cost-effective solutions.