Pia Heidenmark Cook holds both a Technical Licentiate degree and a M.Sc. in Environmental Management, from the University of Lund, Sweden, and a M.Sc. in International Business Administration and Economics from Uppsala University, Sweden. More recently she obtained a degree from the International Directors Programme at INSEAD, France.
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Pia Heidenmark Cook – IKEA Career
For over a decade, Pia worked for IKEA, firstly as The Head of Communications for the IKEA Foundation, followed by the Global Head of Sustainability, Chief Sustainability Officer, and Senior Advisor. During her time in sustainability, she lead the development and implementation of the ‘IKEA People and Planet Positive’ strategy. Together with her wider team, Pia looked at how businesses develop circular business models, launched new sustainable models, and provided advice to customers on how to live more sustainably. Whilst she worked for the company, IKEA ranked in the top three most sustainable brands in the world.
In the year that Pia left IKEA, their total climate footprint has decreased by almost 1.6 million tonnes of CO₂, meaning they are on track to meet its own 2030 positive climate goals.
As well as her time at IKEA, Pia has worked for a range of blue-chip companies on their sustainability. She was the Global Vice President for The Rezidor Hotel Group where she implemented the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme to ensure the company was socially accountable. She then moved to the International Business Leaders Forum as their Chairperson for the International Tourism Partnership, working on environmental issues. Then in 2014 she became the Co-Chair for The Retailer’s Environmental Action Programme, creating a forum to exchange best practices related to sustainability.
After her time at IKEA, she became a Trustee for the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, tackling the global challenges affecting our planet and its people. She is currently working in an advisory capacity for THE DO GROUP, who empower people to create a positive impact within their companies; MAX Burgers, which is Sweden’s most popular restaurant chains, where she worked on reduce their carbon footprint; the Boards Impact Forum which works alongside the World Economic Forum to accelerate climate actions in order to create a sustainable company and a sustainable world; Origin Materials, who aim to enable the world’s transition into sustainable materials in clothing, textiles, food, drink, plastics, car parts, etc.; BUPA, on their sustainability committee; Teneo, who advise a significant number of FTSE100 companies on issues including communication, investing, and management; and Decathlon, the world’s largest sporting goods retailer, where she sits as a Member of the Advisory Board (Committee Strategy).
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Pia Heidenmark Cook – Podcasts
Her expertise has seen her appearing on podcasts including A Sustainable Future, Outrage & Optimism, Leadership by Essenta Insights, and All In – The Sustainability Business Podcast. She has contributed to books such as CSOs At Work (2022) by Chrissa Pagitsas.
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Pia Heidenmark Cook – Keynote Speaker
With sustainability a hot topic across the globe, Pia’s expertise in sustainability is highly respected, and she is in high demand for her keynote talks. She has spoken at events including the Boards Impact Forum, the Cambridge Institute for Sustainable Leadership, INSEAD, and the ESG/Climate Competent Boards’ executive training.
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Pia Heidenmark Cook – Keynote Speaker topics
- Implementing a Successful Sustainability Strategy
- Sustainability and ESG in organisations
- The Circular Economy
- Global Climate Strategy
- Change Management & Sustainability
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To check fees and availability for sustainability speaker Pia Heidenmark Cook, contact Great Business Speakers on 0044 (0)1753 439289
