A Swedish success story goes international

In just six years, he has climbed the career ladder in JYSK. Now, Reza Rahimi, District Manager of JYSK Sweden, is moving on to new challenges in the UK and Ireland.

It has not been that long since he first set foot in a JYSK store. But Reza Rahimi, 27, has made success no matter where he has been placed.

As a Store Manager, he got the annual award for running the store of the year in all of Sweden.

As a District Manager, he got a similar award for running the best district.

And after recently completing the Retail Manager Trainee (RMT) programme in JYSK, he is now set to take over as Retail Manager in the UK and Ireland.

"An incredible opportunity," Reza Rahimi says.

High ambitions

He will start in his new role on 1 April 2022 and will be based in Dublin, a city he knows mainly for its golf courses, scenery, and pub culture.

"I am very proud of this opportunity. At the same time I cannot wait to meet my new colleagues and see where we will end up."

Nobody within JYSK Sweden has missed out on the fact that Reza has big ambitions. Already shortly after he started, he pointed out that his long-term aim was to become a Country Manager before turning 30 – an aim he even told the Swedish Country Manager Johan Sjödin about. A Swedish retail publication also recently listed him as one of the country's most promising stars.

With three years left until that milestone, he has matured, Reza says. It is no longer a certain title that motivates him, but to be great at what he does.

"JYSK is giving me a great responsibility, here in Ireland and the UK. This market is expanding and has so much potential. I hope to continue to grow within the company."

Set for success

With the internal recruitment, the Swedish Country Manager loses yet another talent to a higher position within the JYSK world.

Johan Sjödin says he could not be prouder of his latest export from Sweden.

"I think everyone who has met Reza has seen the level of total ambition, conviction, and devotion. There is never a doubt in his mind that he will succeed, and that can probably be seen as cocky, but for him it is just natural."

You don't feel threatened that he said he is after your job?

"Not at all. That is cool, the more people who want it, the better it is."

Johan Sjödin, who has followed Reza's career closely, is sure he will bring JYSK in the UK and Ireland to further success.

"He leads with such energy and happiness while driving himself and conducting results. He is like a dynamo, I am sure he will do great in his new role."