BoConcept hires international top profile - and sets the team that will lead the company strongly into the future

BoConcept, the world's most global furniture and lifestyle brand, reorganized its Executive Management as of April 1, 2024. In order to position itself for the future, exploit the large growth potential, and better support the company's global franchise partners, BoConcept strengthens its Executive team with new faces.

British Kate Walsh has been appointed as Chief Retail Officer, and she will henceforth lead the global retail business across 67 countries and six continents. Kate Walsh most recently held the position of Senior Vice President Omnichannel Retail at Pandora. Previously, she held positions as Managing Director for UK & Ireland and Managing Director for Northern Europe in the same company. Prior to her career at Pandora, Kate Walsh gained experience at companies like Starbucks and Marston's, where she played key roles within franchise and retail management.

Therefore, BoConcept has now acquired an experienced and highly respected profile in Kate Walsh.

"I am proud that we can attract an extraordinary talent of Kate Walsh's calibre to BoConcept. I am convinced that Kate will be an excellent match for BoConcept and our entire global business. Her mindset and strong skills, especially in franchising and retail, can help us navigate successfully into the future," says Chief Executive Officer Mikael Kruse Jensen.

"On a personal level, I am very excited to step into this exciting world of lifestyle and design. It is an area I am very passionate about. It will be fantastic to be part of a team that creates extraordinary customer experiences in BoConcept's stores worldwide," says Kate Walsh and continues:

"I look forward to working in a company that is truly global and at the same time deeply rooted in Danish design traditions. As a Brit who has previously lived and worked in Denmark, I feel deeply connected to the Scandinavian lifestyle and workplace culture."

BoConcept adds another experienced profile to the top management with the appointment of the new Chief Financial Officer, Klaus Skov Mortensen, who will have global responsibility for finance, legal and IT. Klaus Skov Mortensen comes from the position of Chief Financial Officer at HMF Group and has many years of international experience in finance, strategy, investment and business development. Prior to this, Klaus Skov Mortensen worked for the Danish private equity firm Axcel for several years.

"I am very pleased that Klaus has chosen to be part of BoConcept, and we look forward to benefiting from his experience, business understanding, and strategic vision. With him on board, we are best equipped to create an even more well-consolidated and strong financial foundation," states Mikael Kruse Jensen.

Along with the appointments of Kate Walsh and Klaus Skov Mortensen, BoConcept also makes changes to the management structure, appointing the current Global HR Director Jon Skålerud as Chief Human Resources Officer and including him in the Executive Management team.

"At BoConcept, people are our most important resource. Therefore, it is crucial that the function responsible for managing that resource is even more actively involved in the company's overall decisions. This has led to the creation of the Chief Human Resources Officer role in our new organisation," says Mikael Kruse Jensen, continuing:

"During his two years as Global HR Director at BoConcept, Jon, together with his team, has positioned HR where it should be - as a proactive function with great influence at both the strategic, tactical and operational levels," points out Mikael Kruse Jensen.

Prior to his career at BoConcept, Jon Skålerud has HR and Management experience from companies such as Lagkagehuset/Ole & Steen and Salling Group.

Mikael Kruse Jensen looks optimistically towards the future:

"With the new Executive Management organisation, we strengthen our focus on customers and employees in everything we do. We stand on a solid foundation - ready to fulfill our ambitious development and growth plans," concludes Mikael Kruse Jensen.

About BoConcept:

Danish BoConcept was founded in 1952 and is today the world's most global furniture and lifestyle brand with over 340 stores in 67 countries on six continents. BoConcept designs, manufactures, and sells furniture, lighting and accessories for both private homes and the B2B market. BoConcept is especially known for their personalized interior design service. Learn more at boconcept.com.