JØRGEN VIG KNUDSTORP, currently serves as the lead independent director of the board, effective March 13, 2025, and has been a Starbucks director since March 2017. Mr. Knudstorp is also currently Deputy Chair of the LEGO Foundation and Chair of BrainPOP Education, all organizations supporting children’s development and learning. From 2023 through 2024, he served as Special Partner to the LEGO Brand Owner Family, KIRKBI Group, the holding company for LEGO Brand and the LEGO Group (among other activities) responsible for brand and business development. From 2017 to 2023, Mr. Knudstorp served as Executive Chairman of the LEGO Brand Group, owner of the LEGO brand. From 2004 to 2016, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the LEGO Group. He previously held various leadership positions at the LEGO Group from 2001 to 2004, including Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs Vice President, Strategic Development Senior Director, Global Strategic Development & Alliance Management, and Director, Strategic Development. Prior to joining the LEGO Group, Mr. Knudstorp served as a Management Consultant at McKinsey & Company, a management consulting firm, from 1998 to 2001.
Mr. Knudstorp brings to the board his top executive leadership experience at one of the world’s most renowned toy manufacturers, which has a highly recognizable brand and a record of innovation. His extensive global leadership experience provides the board with unique insights and knowledge of brand and digital marketing, strategy, consumer products, development and nurturing of human capital and organizational culture and values, finance, capital allocation, international operations and distribution, and formation and management of strategic alliances. In addition, Mr. Knudstorp brings experience in building an authentic brand in the context of across responsible business considerations and product and employee experiences.