Kasper Rorsted is a Danish businessman who currently serves as the CEO of Adidas, a multinational sportswear company. He was born on October 24, 1962, in Denmark.
Rorsted earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Aarhus University in Denmark and a master’s degree in international business from the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Switzerland. He began his career in the consumer goods industry, working for companies such as Hewlett-Packard and Compaq.
In 2005, Rorsted joined the German consumer goods company Henkel as the executive vice president for its cosmetics division. He was later promoted to CEO in 2008 and oversaw the company’s transformation into a global leader in the consumer goods industry.
In 2016, Rorsted became the CEO of Adidas, succeeding Herbert Hainer. Under his leadership, the company has experienced strong growth, with revenues increasing by double digits year-over-year. Rorsted has focused on expanding the company’s digital capabilities and strengthening its presence in key markets such as China and North America.
Rorsted’s wealth is estimated to be around $200 million. Much of his fortune comes from his salary and bonuses as CEO of Adidas, where he has a base salary of over $10 million per year. He also owns several properties, including a home in Denmark and a vacation home in Spain.
In addition to his business career, Rorsted is a passionate supporter of environmental and social causes. He has been vocal about Adidas’s commitment to sustainability and has set ambitious goals for the company to reduce its environmental footprint and promote social justice.
Overall, Kasper Rorsted’s leadership at Adidas has been credited with driving the company’s growth and success, and his focus on sustainability and social responsibility has earned him respect in the business world.
Here is a timeline of Kasper Rorsted’s career:
- 1985: Rorsted graduates from Aarhus University in Denmark with a bachelor’s degree in economics.
- 1988: Rorsted earns a master’s degree in international business from the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Switzerland.
- 1988-1995: Rorsted works in various roles at Hewlett-Packard and Compaq in Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland.
- 1995-2001: Rorsted works for Oracle Corporation in Denmark and the United States, eventually becoming the executive vice president for Oracle EMEA.
- 2001-2005: Rorsted works for the German consumer goods company Henkel, initially as the head of its Scandinavian operations and later as the executive vice president for its cosmetics division.
- 2008-2016: Rorsted serves as the CEO of Henkel, overseeing the company’s transformation into a global leader in the consumer goods industry.
- 2016-present: Rorsted becomes the CEO of Adidas, succeeding Herbert Hainer. Under his leadership, the company experiences strong growth, with revenues increasing by double digits year-over-year. Rorsted focuses on expanding the company’s digital capabilities and strengthening its presence in key markets such as China and North America. He also promotes sustainability and social responsibility, setting ambitious goals for the company to reduce its environmental footprint and promote social justice.
- 2021: Rorsted announces that he will step down as CEO of Adidas in 2022, after six years at the helm.
5 interesting facts about Kasper Rorsted:
- Rorsted is an accomplished triathlete and has competed in several Ironman races.
- In his early career, Rorsted worked as a management consultant for the Boston Consulting Group.
- Rorsted is a member of the board of directors for the German carmaker BMW.
- Rorsted is a vocal supporter of free trade and has advocated for the benefits of globalization in the business world.
- Rorsted is fluent in several languages, including Danish, English, German, and French.
5 quotes from Kasper Rorsted:
- “We have to create a culture where you can make mistakes and learn from them.”
- “We are at the forefront of the biggest change in the industry’s history, the digitalization of our business.”
- “If you’re not in China, you’re not in the game. China is a very important market for us.”
- “Sustainability is not just an add-on. It is an integral part of our business.”
- “We want to be a company that is socially responsible and is making a difference in the world.”