Skip Kodak Appointed New Head of LEGO Systems; Søren Torp Laursen Resigns for Role Outside LEGO
The LEGO Group announced that senior vice-president Skip Kodak, who currently runs LEGO’s supply chain planning and distribution, has been appointed the new head of LEGO Systems, Inc., and head of The LEGO Group’s market group Americas, effective April 1, 2016. The present head of LEGO Systems, Søren Torp Laursen, is resigning to take on a new position outside The LEGO Group.
Kodak has been with The LEGO Group since 2002, when he started as vice-president, U.S. field sales. Over the past 14 years, he has held a variety of commercial roles and since 2012, Kodak has been a member of The LEGO Group’s corporate management.
“Skip has demonstrated a high level of versatility in all the positions that he has held with us during the past 14 years, and he is very well positioned to take on the challenge of shaping the future of The LEGO Group’s business in the Americas, a region with tremendous opportunities ahead,” said Loren Shuster, executive vice-president and chief commercial officer, LEGO Group.
Søren Torp Laursen joined The LEGO Group in 1986 as a marketing trainee. Over the past 29 years, Laursen has covered leadership positions in all market regions of the company and since 2002, he has held the position as head of LEGO Systems, Inc. and senior vice-president, LEGO Americas.
Laursen has been a relentless champion of building and sustaining strong partnerships with LEGO customers. He is highly regarded as a pioneer in the toy industry as demonstrated by his commitment to the Toy Industry Association, where he held several positions for 10 years, including chairman of the board of directors from 2012–2014.
“Through his strong contribution, Søren has covered some very important aspects of our business including making The LEGO Group tremendously successful in our biggest market,” said Shuster. “I am deeply grateful for Søren’s contribution and I wish him the best of luck in his future career.”