Ikea announces new Country Retail Manager and Chief Sustainability Officer for UK and Ireland

Ikea has announced the appointment of David McCabe as its new Country Retail Manager and Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) for the UK and Ireland.

Currently the Global Fulfilment & Core Services Manager for Ingka Group, leading Ikea’s global fulfilment team, McCabe will step into his new position on 1st July. McCabe takes over from Peter Jelkeby, who recently transitioned to lead Ikea Germany.

McCabe started his Ikea career in 1996 at the Lakeside store in the UK. His 30-year journey with the company has included leadership roles across North America and Europe, in both country and global assignments spanning Expansion, Commercial, Logistics, Innovation and Retail Management.

He returned to the UK and Ireland as Commercial Manager in 2019, navigating the business through the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. McCabe then went on to serve as Country Retail Manager and CSO at Ikea CZHUSK (Czechia, Hungary, and Slovakia), for four years.

McCabe says: “It is a true honour to be rejoining the UK and Ireland team. So much has changed since I started my Ikea career three decades ago in the Lakeside store, but the constant has always been the fantastic people who bring our culture to life.”

“I have been continually impressed by the team’s achievements. Now, together, we have a great opportunity to shape the future of Ikea in the UK and Ireland, as we continue to strengthen our focus on becoming even more accessible, affordable and sustainable for our customers.”

Since the start of 2025, Ikea has expanded its footprint in the UK and Ireland with nine new locations, including two city centre stores on London’s Oxford Street and in Brighton, as well as new Plan and Order Points in Hull, Waterford, York, and Dundee, and three new format small stores in retail park locations in Harlow, Norwich and Chester. 

2026 RTIH Innovation Awards

Physical stores will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards are now open for entries and celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.

Check out our 2025 winners here.

Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”

“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”

He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”

Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.