How IKEA's top U.K. exec climbed the ranks from forklift driver to the C-suite

Peter Jelkeby, IKEA's U.K. CEO (Credit: Courtesy of Ikea)

• A top leader at IKEA says to seize opportunities and be curious, a job right out of university could land you in the C-suite.

In a world where climbing the corporate ladder often follows a predictable script, Peter Jelkeby stands out as a true exception. His road to management took a radical detour from the well-trodden paths of graduate programs and senior executive mentorship. It all started when he stepped on the bustling shop floor of IKEA at the age of 19.