President and CEO of JYSK, Rami Jensen, turns 50

On Friday 30 August 2024, President and CEO of JYSK, Rami Jensen, celebrates his 50th birthday. This year, he also celebrates 30 years since he started his career in JYSK as an apprentice in Esbjerg, Denmark.

Rami Jensen grew up in Esbjerg with his mother and brother, where he also graduated from Esbjerg business school in 1994. Like many other young people, Rami Jensen says he did not have a clear picture of what his career would look like. By chance, he stepped into the world of retail in 1994, and today, he is only the third person in JYSK’s 45-year history to be President and CEO of the global retail company. As President and CEO, he holds the overall responsibility for over 3,400 stores in 48 countries and more than 31,000 employees.

“It is a great privilege to lead one of Denmark’s most well-known global retail companies and ensure that we stay true to our core values while continuing to expand and develop the company and our great offers,” says President and CEO of JYSK, Rami Jensen.

A missed opportunity turned into a career

Rami Jensen’s plan was not initially to seek a career in retail. But a missed opportunity for another job led him to the chance encounter with the then Store Manager in Esbjerg, Bo V. Andersen, who is now Country Director of JYSK Denmark. Here, Rami Jensen was offered a job as an apprentice in the local JYSK store which he accepted.

“I did not at the time have any idea that this moment would define my career path the way that is has. I believe that if you find something that you are interested in and enjoy doing, then you will also become good at it over time. Retail has given me a great career and I enjoy going to work every day and creating results together, both when it is easy and when we are challenged,” says Rami Jensen.

A career in JYSK

Since Rami Jensen started as an apprentice in JYSK in Esbjerg in 1994, he has held over 20 different positions in JYSK such as Store Manager, Country Director of Hungary and Executive Vice President of Business Development. In 2018, Rami Jensen temporarily left JYSK to become CEO of another Lars Larsen Group retail company, ILVA, before returning to JYSK in 2022 as Deputy President and CEO where he worked side by side with the former President and CEO of JYSK, Jan Bøgh, who is now President and CEO of Lars Larsen Group Retail.

“Rami has one of the most impressive careers in JYSK and I am proud of his achievements and our collaboration throughout the years. We have worked together for most of his time in JYSK, and he has always had a very good take on the retail business and been open to new career possibilities in JYSK. I believe he will be very successful in expanding and developing JYSK according to our values in the years to come,” says Jan Bøgh.

Rami Jensen took over as President and CEO of JYSK in September 2023, and he looks forward to the journey ahead.

“I may be turning 50 this year, but I am most proud of also being able to celebrate 30 years since I started in JYSK. I am sure that we will have many more successes and anniversaries to celebrate in JYSK together,” says Rami Jensen.

Rami Jensen lives in Silkeborg, Denmark, with his wife, two teenagers and the dog.

Facts about Rami Jensen

• 50 years old on 30 August 2024
• Only the third President and CEO of JYSK in the company’s 45-year history
• Started his career in JYSK as an apprentice in the JYSK store in Esbjerg, Denmark
• Has held over 20 different positions in JYSK
• Lives in Silkeborg with his wife, two teenagers and the family dog