Early Life
Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen was born on December 27, 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 was involved in the company, testing new model concepts and appearing in marketing materials. Kristiansen holds a bachelor's degree from Aarhus University and an MBA from IMD Business School, Switzerland.
Rise to Success
In 1979, Kristiansen became the President and CEO of The Lego Group. During his tenure, he spearheaded the company's transformation, introducing innovations that revolutionized the way children play with Lego bricks. These innovations included new themes, minifigures, LEGO.com, Lego Mindstorms, and licensed properties. Under his leadership, the Lego Group experienced significant growth and became one of the world's leading toy companies.
Key Business Strategies
Kristiansen's key strategies included introducing new product lines, focusing on creativity and imagination, and expanding into new markets. He stepped down as President and CEO in 2004 to focus on his role as owner and vice-chairman of the board.
Philanthropy
Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen is passionate about education and supports educational initiatives through the Lego Foundation.