Bali Padda joins the ranks of other prominent movers and shakers of Indian origin – including PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella after being appointed the Chief Executive Officer of the LEGO Group. A veteran in the company, he moved into the top position from being the head of supply chain.
Bali is the first foreign head of the Danish company and will assume his role from January 1, 2017. He replaces Jørgen Vig Knudstorp, who will be heading another entity from LEGO Brand Group next.
Thomas Kirk Kristiansen, fourth generation owner of the LEGO Group, said in a statement, “Bali possesses the right LEGO mindset. He has a deep knowledge of our entire company, a very clear sense of what we need to do to take the company to the next level, and he is a true ambassador for the LEGO Idea and the LEGO brand.”
Bali Padda has been part of the LEGO Group’s upper management since last 10 years, holding overall responsibility for people and organisational development. He is marking his 14th year in the company.
"With the great collaboration in our management as well as the support from Thomas and Jørgen, I am confident that we can continue the success of the LEGO Group and reach many more children in the future with high-quality play experiences,” Padda added.
Bali Padda started working with LEGO in 2002 from GlaxoSmithKline, where he handled customer service from 1998 to 2000. He is a graduate of Gordon’s School in the United Kingdom.