Jørgen Vig Knudstorp
Jørgen Vig Knudstorp | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 21, 1968 Fredericia, Denmark |
| Occupation | Business executive |
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Known for | Executive chairman of The Lego Group, former CEO of The Lego Group |
Jørgen Vig Knudstorp (born 21 November 1968) is a Danish executive currently serving as the executive chairman of The Lego Group. He assumed the roles of president and CEO in October 2004 and held these positions for more than twelve years before shifting to the role of executive chairman in January 2017.
As only the second leader outside the founding family since Ole Kirk Christiansen, Knudstorp is widely recognized for steering the company away from the brink of collapse and driving its resurgence.
Early life
Originating from Fredericia, Denmark, Knudstorp completed his secondary education at Fredericia Gymnasium. He pursued higher education at Aarhus University, where he obtained a bachelor's degree, followed by a master's in 1995, and a PhD in Economics in 1998. Prior to joining LEGO, he engaged in academic research and worked as a business consultant.
Career at LEGO
Knudstorp entered LEGO in 2001 after experience in consulting with McKinsey & Company combined with academic roles. Elevated to CEO in 2004, he successfully transformed the company from financial losses into a highly profitable enterprise. During his tenure, LEGO's revenue expanded dramatically, increasing sixfold from 6.3 billion to 37.9 billion DKK by 2016. In December 2016, he vacated the CEO position to become chairman, with Bali Padda succeeding him.
Roles beyond LEGO
In January 2017, Knudstorp was appointed to the board of directors at Starbucks. Additionally, he joined the board of Merlin Entertainments in 2019.
Personal details
Knudstorp is married to Vanessa, a physician, and together they have four children.