17 September 2013

Former IKEA chief to explore creativity in design and leadership

Former Chief Executive of IKEA and internationally respected business consultant Josephine Rydberg-Dumont will discuss the links between creativity and leadership at a public lecture at the University of Dundee next week.

Drawing on her past experiences at IKEA and her current role as advisor to organisations looking to build a design culture, Ms Rydberg-Dumont will share her thoughts on the importance of design and creativity in organisations at the University's Dalhousie Building from 6pm on Monday, 23rd September.

The event is hosted by Design in Action, an Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)-funded Knowledge Exchange Hub for the Creative Economy located within Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design.

Deputy Director Michael Marra said, 'We are delighted to be welcoming Josephine Rydberg-Dumont to Dundee and to hear from someone so esteemed in the world of design. IKEA is one of the world's most recognisable brands, and so there are few people more qualified to talk about the relevance of design to the economy, cultural landscape and everyday life.'

Over the course of her career, Ms Rydberg-Dumont has built up a wealth of experience in creative leadership, and her passion for ideas-based business development has seen her become a much sought-after speaker and advisor.

Based in Sweden, Ms Rydberg-Dumont directs her consulting firm advising international companies in their quest for a meaningful role in peoples' lives. She previously held top executives posts in the global IKEA Group Management, and directed the home furnishing organisation during a period in which global sales grew from 7 to 20 billion Euros.

Her success has been built upon her commitment to the practice of design-thinking and her belief in achieving simplicity as a universal mark of quality.

Josephine Rydberg-Dumont's talk, 'What creative leadership & design doing looks like' takes place at the Dalhousie Building, University of Dundee, at 6pm on Monday, 23rd September. A drinks reception will follow the event.

Free tickets are available from www.designinaction.com/events.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
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University of Dundee
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