A Renewed Vision for Business and Migration: How IKEA is aligning purpose and practice for migrant inclusion

When Lars-Erik Fridolfsson, Head of Fair & Equal Sustainability at Inter IKEA Group, joined the Hello Accelerator, he was already a strong believer in the corporate sector’s responsibility to help build more inclusive societies. But the experience gave him something more—a renewed sense of clarity and conviction. This confirmed what I already felt,” he shares. “We’re part of society. And that comes with responsibility.” 

Connecting the Dots: Inclusion as Strategy 

For Lars-Erik, migrant inclusion isn’t just about values. It’s also a matter of vision and alignment. The Hello Accelerator helped make that connection sharper. 

“It’s a win-win. Companies need talent. Migrants need access. And diversity brings real business value—creativity, broader perspectives, a better understanding of global markets.” 

But he’s quick to point out that inclusion doesn’t happen by chance. It requires intentional effort—and the courage to act outside the norm. “Recruitment is often treated as a risk mitigation exercise,” he explains. “But it can be a space for investment. For innovation.” 

Walking the Talk: Values in Motion 

Lars-Erik has seen this shift happening inside IKEA. The company has launched targeted skills programs for refugees and migrants in different markets. There’s also a growing willingness, he says, to ask hard questions: Do we really mean what we say about diversity? Are we truly searching in the right places for talent? 

That introspection is bearing fruit. And it’s being driven not just by business needs, but by a shared sense of purpose. 

“People at IKEA don’t just come for the job. They come for the values,” he says. “And that creates space to go further—to take a stand, even when the world outside gets harder.” 

Ground-Level Wisdom, System-Level Change 

One of the most powerful elements of the Hello Accelerator for Lars-Erik was the exposure to people working on the ground—social entrepreneurs leading projects, not just writing strategy. 

“It brought reality into the room,” he says. “It gave flavor to the work and reminded us of what walking the talk really looks like.” 

From Reflection to Responsibility 

The Hello Accelerator helped Lars-Erik reconnect with a deep truth: that businesses don’t operate outside society. They shape it—and are shaped by it. 

“We’re all in the same system. And once you see that, it’s hard to unsee. You realize you have to act.”