Jørgen Vig Knudstorp
Quick Facts
Biography
Jørgen Vig Knudstorp (Danish pronunciation: [jøɐn ʋiː knusdɔb]; born 21 November 1968 in Fredericia) is the former CEO of the Lego Group. He succeeded Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen and is the first non-family member to head Lego.
Early years
Knudstorp was born in 1968, grew-up in Fredericia and graduated from Fredericia Gymnasium before attending Aarhus University.
After obtaining his undergraduate degree, Knudstorp began an academic career as a researcher at his alma mater as well as obtaining a Master of Science degree (1995) and a PhD (1998) in Economics from Aarhus University. He stayed in academia, but worked as a business consultant from 1998 to 2000.
Lego career
Jørgen Vig Knudstorp joined the Lego Group in 2001 after working as a McKinsey & Company consultant and university researcher at Aarhus University.
Under Knudstorp's tenure, Lego Group's yearly income has gone from a loss to drawing a notable profit. In December 2016, it was announced that Knudstorp would step down as CEO of Lego, and instead take the position of Chairman of the group.