Former IKEA Boss Joins University of Victoria

Former president of IKEA Canada and retired partner in IKEA Seattle will join UVic Business as executive in residence next month. Effective March 4, 2010, Anders Berglund will be on campus to share his expertise with students and faculty members.

“I’m very pleased to welcome Mr. Berglund to UVic Business,” says Dr. Elangovan, associate dean and director of International Programs. “He has a wealth of experience and will be an inspiration to our students. With our international focus, he’s an excellent fit with our program.”

Berglund, who divides his time between Victoria and US locations, is writing a book about his experiences running one of the world’s largest retail operations. He arrived in Canada from Sweden in 1979 to help turn around six operations; by the time he left, sales had increased to $230 million. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, Berglund went on to open six stores in Eastern Europe and then returned to Seattle to become a partner in the first owner-operated IKEA store in the world.

As executive-in-residence, Berglund will serve as an on-site guest lecturer, provide advice to faculty and students and help to broaden the business faculty’s relationships with the community. He will be available once a month to meet and talk with business students, faculty and staff.

Judith Sayers, a former chief of the Port Alberni Hupacasath First Nation; Martin Rissley, hotel director aboard the cruise ship Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas; and Stacy Kuiack, founder, past president and past CEO of Vigil Health Solutions Inc. serve in a similar capacity.
 

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