Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen R.1 (Danish pronunciation: [ˈkʰelˀ ˈkʰiɐ̯k kʰʁeˈstjænˀsn̩]; born 27 December 1947) is a Danish businessman who was the president and CEO of The Lego Group from 1979 to 2004. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Kristiansen is the third richest Dane, with a net worth of US$7.26 billion as of April 2024.[2] He is the grandson of Lego founder Ole Kirk Christiansen.
Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen | |
|---|---|
 Kristiansen in 2018 | |
| Born | 27 December 1947 Billund, Denmark |
| Alma mater | Aarhus University (BA) IMD Business School (MBA) |
| Occupation | Businessperson |
| Known for | Former CEO and deputy chairman of The LEGO Group |
| Title | President of The Lego Group |
| Term | 1979 – 2004 |
| Predecessor | Vagn Holck Andersen[1] |
| Successor | Jørgen Vig Knudstorp |
| Spouse | Camilla Kristiansen |
| Children | |
| Father | Godtfred Kirk Christiansen |
| Relatives | Ole Kirk Christiansen (grandfather) |
Early life and education
editKristiansen was born 27 December 1947 in Billund, Denmark. His father, Godtfred Kirk Christiansen, worked with his grandfather, Ole Kirk Christiansen, in the family business: Lego. As a child, he often inspired and tested new model concepts and their building instructions.[3] He also appeared on many of the company's packages and marketing materials.[3]
Kristiansen graduated with a bachelor's degree from Aarhus University. In 1972, he received a MBA from the International Institute for Management Development in Switzerland.[2][4]
Business career
editIn 1979, Kristiansen became president and CEO of The Lego Group. He introduced themes, minifigures, LEGO.com, Lego Mindstorms and licensed properties.[3] In 2004, he stepped down as president and CEO to focus on his role as owner of the Lego Group and vice-chairman of the board, while maintaining his role as chairman of the board of KIRKBI A/S, Lego Holding A/S and the Lego Foundation.[3] Lego is privately held and is controlled by the Kristiansen family and their foundations.
Personal life
editKristiansen and his wife, Camilla, live in Denmark and have three children: Thomas Kirk Kristiansen, Sofie Kirk Kristiansen, and Agnete Kirk Thinggaard, a Danish Olympic dressage rider.[5]
In 1995, Kristiansen bought Strathconon Estate, in the highlands of Scotland, covering 60,000 acres (24,000 ha). He later bought the neighbouring Scardroy and Ledgowan estates.[6][7]
Awards
editHe has received many awards in his professional career.
- Knight 1st Class (Officer) of Denmark's Order of the Dannebrog[8]
- 1996: The Freedom Prize from the Max Schmidheiny Foundation, Switzerland[9]
- 1996: Distinguished Family Business Award from the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), Switzerland[10]
- Moran (Peony) insignia of the Order of Civil Merit from the Korean government[citation needed]
- Founder's Award from Dean Kamen[citation needed]
- 2008: he was inducted in the National Toy Hall of Fame.[3] The Toy Hall of Fame was established in 1984 to recognize those people who have contributed most significantly to the toy industry. Past inductees include Ole Kirk Christiansen, Kjeld's grandfather and Lego founder, inducted in 1989.[11]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Life at the world's largest toymaker". Archived from the original on 22 February 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- ^ a b "Bloomberg Billionaires Index: Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen". Bloomberg. 28 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "LEGO Legend Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen to be Inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame". What's the Buzz. Toy Industry Association. 2008-02-11. Archived from the original on 2008-02-29. Retrieved 2008-03-01.
- ^ "Board". The LEGO Foundation. Archived from the original on 2020-08-02. Retrieved 2020-01-08.
- ^ Agnete Kirk Thinggaard Archived 2017-10-28 at the Wayback Machine, V.I.P.EDIA – seoghoer.dk
- ^ "Conservation assurances as prime Highland area becomes part of Lego land. Danish family buys 60,000 acre estate". The Herald. 13 January 1995.
- ^ Merritt, Mike (16 October 2017). "Lego family buys Highland estate". The Times.
- ^ "SE og HØR - Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen". SE og HØR. Archived from the original on 31 August 2019. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
- ^ "Freedom Prize Awardees". Max Schmidheiny Foundation. Archived from the original on 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-03-01.
- ^ Moeller, Lise. "Laureates of the last decade". Institute for Managers and Development. Archived from the original on 2007-10-13. Retrieved 2008-03-01.
- ^ "Toy Industry Hall of Fame". Toy Industry Association, Inc. Archived from the original on 2008-02-27. Retrieved 2008-03-01.