Thomas Kirk Kristiansen

A fourth-generation owner of Lego, Thomas Kirk Kristiansen succeeded his father Kjeld as deputy chairman of the company's board in 2016.

He, his two sisters and father together split ownership of a 75% stake in the $8 billion (sales) business.

He is also chairman of the Lego Foundation and will succeed his father as chairman of Kirkbi, the family's holding company, in the spring of 2023.

His great-grandfather Ole, a carpenter, started making wooden toys in his workshop in 1932 before moving into plastic in the 1940s.

The family also owns about half of theme park operator Merlin Entertainments, which it took private with a consortium in 2019.