John Goodwin appointed as new CEO of the LEGO Foundation

John Goodwin has been with the LEGO Group since September 2012, where he joined as Chief Financial Officer and at the same time took on the responsibility of the Business Enabling area including IT, Legal, Procurement, Business Services, CSR and Corporate Affairs. In addition, John has been a key driver in the development of the LEGO Group organisation and culture.

Commenting on the new CEO, Thomas Kirk Kristiansen, Chairman of the Board, says: “I am very pleased to have John with us as the new CEO of the LEGO Foundation. John has a deep understanding of the LEGO brand, our values and company culture. He is a strong people leader who sets a clear direction and knows how to engage employees and partners in our mission to inspire and develop the builders of tomorrow”.

In November 2016, John announced his intention to leave the LEGO Group in June 2017 to pursue the next items on his career journey, particularly within charitable causes. In the meantime, the former CEO of the LEGO Foundation, Hanne Rasmussen, decided to step down earlier this year. Subsequently, the Board of the LEGO Foundation and John Goodwin initiated a dialogue in which the opportunity to collaborate was explored and it became evident that there was a match.

Thomas Kirk Kristiansen:

“The LEGO Foundation is growing. During the past five years, the total activities in the foundation have more than quadrupled in size. Our ambition and desire to engage with many more children, parents, teachers and politicians globally in learning through play have grown equally, and the work done by the LEGO Foundation is extremely important to me personally, to my family and to the shared mission we have across our family-entities the LEGO Group, the LEGO Foundation, LEGO Education and KIRKBI. I look very much forward to continuing the cooperation with John. I am convinced he is the right person to take the LEGO Foundation to the next level on our journey.”

Commenting on his new position, John Goodwin says:

“I am humbled and excited to take on the role as CEO of the LEGO Foundation. I have a deep passion for the LEGO brand, the Kirk Kristiansen family mission and for making a lasting difference to people’s lives through social impact. The purpose of the LEGO Foundation, to change attitudes and behaviours around the importance of play in children’s development and learning, is something I am deeply passionate about and I can’t wait to continue this work together with the organisation and partners”.

Press contact

Charlotte Degn, Head of Communication
charlotte.degn@LEGO.com
+45 5221 1779

About the LEGO Foundation

The LEGO Foundation shares the mission of the LEGO Group: to inspire and develop the builders of tomorrow. The Foundation is dedicated to building a future in which learning through play empowers children to become creative, engaged, lifelong learners. Its work is about re-defining play and re-imagining learning. In collaboration with thought leaders, influencers, educators and parents the LEGO Foundation aims to equip, inspire and activate champions for play. www.LEGOfoundation.com