Ingka Group Appoints Erika Intiso as Chief Sustainability Officer
Ingka Group, the largest retailer for the global home furnishings chain IKEA and operator of over 85 percent of its total retail sales, has officially named Erika Intiso as its new Chief Sustainability Officer. In her upcoming capacity, Intiso will spearhead the organization’s overarching sustainability framework, guiding the strategic integration of environmental and social goals into daily operations and commercial decisions. She is scheduled to formally assume the position in November.
Intiso brings more than 15 years of institutional experience within the broader IKEA network, having navigated a diverse array of leadership assignments spanning commercial development, retail operations, and large-scale business transformation. Most recently, she held the dual title of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer for IKEA operations across Czechia, Hungary, and Slovakia, where she directed regional sustainability initiatives alongside standard commercial performance objectives.
Leadership Transition and Strategic Continuity
Ulrika Biesèrt, Group People, Sustainability and Communication Manager at Ingka Group, noted that sustainability remains fundamentally intertwined with how the company operates and expands its commercial footprint. Biesèrt pointed to Intiso’s extensive organizational background and demonstrated capability to advance environmental objectives while concurrently driving robust business performance as key factors in her selection.
Reflecting on her upcoming appointment, Intiso emphasized her hands-on experience across the organization’s value chain, describing sustainability as a vital catalyst for commercial expansion. She underscored the importance of operationalizing corporate ambitions into measurable initiatives designed to deliver tangible value for customers, internal co-workers, and local communities alike.
Reflecting on Past Achievements
Intiso succeeds Karen Pflug, who is stepping down after more than five years leading the company’s chief sustainability office. During her tenure, Pflug oversaw several major operational milestones aligned with corporate climate and resource stewardship goals. Key achievements under her leadership included the scaling of circular business models such as the Buyback and Resell program, pushing renewable electricity consumption across the retail network to nearly 95 percent, and achieving an absolute operational greenhouse gas emissions reduction exceeding 70 percent compared against a 2016 baseline.
To ensure operational continuity and a structured handover, Pflug will remain with the organization through the remainder of the calendar year. Biesèrt expressed gratitude for Pflug’s multi-year contributions, noting that her tenure successfully established a resilient strategic framework and foundation upon which the incoming leadership team can continue to construct future environmental initiatives.
