Ekornes appoints Tine Hammernes Leopold as new CEO

Ekornes, a leading furniture producer founded in Norway and renowned for brands like Ekornes®, Stressless®, Svane®, and IMG, has appointed Tine Hammernes Leopold, an experienced branded consumer goods leader, as the new chief executive officer.

Headquartered in Sykkylven, Norway, with more than 2,600 employees and production facilities in Norway, USA, Thailand and Lithuania, Ekornes provides quality furniture products with short delivery times to people across the world through its channel partners with more than 4,000 outlets in 40 countries globally.

“During its 90-year history of innovation and international expansion, Ekornes has become a global provider of high-quality furniture, including Stressless®, one of the world’s most well-known furniture brands. I’m truly impressed by Ekornes strong legacy,” says incoming CEO Tine Hammernes Leopold. “It is one of few Norwegian companies that can look back on close to a century of automated industrial production and successful international brand building. I am excited to join the Ekornes team as the new CEO and get to know the people, brands, partners and end-customers”.

Tine Hammernes Leopold has more than 20 years executive and board experience in Nordic-based branded consumer goods companies, including Orkla Group, an industrial conglomerate and the market leader in Nordic fast-moving consumer brands, and Salmon Brands, the company behind the original Norwegian SALMA sushi grade salmon loin. Her capacity to distinguish business opportunities, a customer-oriented and sustainability-driven mindset, coupled with compelling leadership of local teams has demonstrated a proven track record of delivering successful commercial progress and long-term value.

“The board of directors is pleased to have Tine lead Ekornes as we deliver on our vision to improve everyday living for people around the world with quality products, and continue developing the company’s proud history, culture and strong brands”, says Ruihai Zhao, the chair of the board at Ekornes AS.

Ekornes’ long-term ambition is to deliver responsible and profitable growth over time through efficient production, strong brands and innovative product development, combined with a solid financial position. In 2022, the Ekornes Group had NOK 4.9 billion of revenue.

Hammernes Leopold will join as CEO Autumn 2023. Acting CEO Fredrik Ødegård Nilsen will at the same time assume the position as deputy CEO and CFO.

“The board wishes to thank Fredrik Ødegård Nilsen for excellent leadership in a challenging time for the industry and the company, and for managing the ongoing improvement programme we launched moving into 2023. We are very pleased that he will continue in the position as deputy CEO and CFO,” says Ruihai Zhao.