Board of Directors

The 2023 Annual General Meeting elected six members to Suominen's Board of Directors. The term of office of the members of the Board of Directors ends at the close of the Annual General Meeting 2024. 

Jaakko Eskola

b. 1958
Finnish citizen
M.Sc. (Eng.)

Member of the Board since 2021
Chair of the Board and Personnel and Remuneration Committee since 2021

Independent member

Principal working experience

Wärtsilä Corporation, Senior Advisor to the Board and Executive Team, 2021
Wärtsilä Corporation, President & CEO, 2015–2021
Wärtsilä Corporation, Senior Executive Vice President and Deputy to the CEO, 2013–2015
Wärtsilä Corporation, President, Marine Solutions, 2006–2015
Wärtsilä Corporation, Vice President, Power Plants Sales & Marketing, 2005–2006
Wärtsilä Development & Financial Services Oy, President, 1998–2005
PCA Corporate Finance, Executive Director, 1997–1998
Kansallis-Osake-Pankki, various managerial positions in international project finance, 1986–1997
Industrialization Fund of Finland, Corporate Analyst, 1984–1986
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Researcher, 1983–1984

Positions of trust

Enersense International Oyj, Chair of the Board
Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Company, Chair of the Board
Technology Industries of Finland, Chair of the Board
Cargotec Oyj, Chair of the Board
Valmet Oyj, Deputy Chair of the Board
Confederation of Finnish Industries, Member of the Board
Finnish Foundation for Share Promotion, Member of the Board
P2X Solutions Oy, Member of the Board

Andreas Ahlström

b. 1976
Finnish citizen
M.Sc. (Economics and Business Administration)

Member of the Board and Audit Committee since 2015
Deputy Chair of the Board since 2020

Non-independent member

Principal working experience

A. Ahlström Oy, Investment Director, 2016–
Ahlström Capital Oy, Investment Manager, 2010–2016
Credit Agricole Asset Management, Sales Manager for Nordic Countries, 2006–2010
Factiva a Dow Jones & Reuters Co, Account Manager Nordic Countries, 2005–2006
Factiva a Dow Jones & Reuters Co, Customer Development Executive, 2004–2005
Result Venture Knowledge, Consultant, 2003–2004

Aaron Barsness

b. 1973
U.S. and Swedish citizen
BA (Biology and Environmental Studies)

Member of the Board and Personnel and Remuneration Committee since 2022

Independent member

Primary working experience:

Fazer Group, CMO, 2022–
Fazer Group & Fazer Confectionery, Head of Marketing, 2019–2022
Lynxeye Brand Consultants Sweden, Managing Director & Partner, 2016–2019
Lynxeye Brand Consultants, Client Director, 2011–2016
Procter & Gamble Nordic, Associate Marketing Director, 2008–2011
Procter & Gamble Nordic, positions in Marketing & Commercial Teams, 2000–2008
Motorola North America, Product Planner, 1998–2000

Björn Borgman

b. 1975
Swedish citizen
M.Sc. (Industrial Engineering)

Member of the Board and Personnel and Remuneration Committee since 2020

Independent member

Principal working experience

HL Display, CEO, 2020–
HL Display, Group Commercial Director, 2015–2020
Reckitt Benckiser, VP, Sales, Canada, 2013–2015
Reckitt Benckiser, Sales Director, Czech & Slovak Republics, 2011–2013
Reckitt Benckiser, Country Manager, Sweden, 2008–2011
Reckitt Benckiser, Head of Pricing, Europe, 2006–2008
Reckitt Benckiser, Brand Manager, Nordics, 2005–2006
Reckitt Benckiser and Procter & Gamble, positions in Commercial, Marketing and Supply, 1999–2005

Nina Linander

b. 1959
Swedish citizen
B.Sc. (Economics) and MBA

Member of the Board since 2020
Chair of the Audit Committee since 2020

Independent member

Principal working experience

Stanton Chase International, Partner, 2006–2012
Electrolux AB, SVP and Head of Group Staff Finance, 2001–2005
Vattenfall AB, Director and Head of Product Area Electricity and other managerial positions, 1994–2001

Positions of trust

GreenIron H2 AB, Chair of the Board
OneMed Holding AB, Member of the Board
Swedavia AB, Member of the Board

Laura Remes

b. 1980
Finnish citizen
M.Sc. (Technology)

Member of the Board and Audit Committee since 2023

Independent member

Principal working experience:

UPM Fibres, Vice President, Strategy and Business Development, 2022– 
UPM Specialty Papers, General Manager, Specialty paper mill, 2019–2021
UPM Specialty Papers, Vice President, Strategy and Business Development, 2017–2018
UPM Kymmene, several positions at strategy, business, sales and supply chain development, 2010–2017
Nokia Markets, Manager, Business Development, 2007–2009
Nokia Mobile Phones, Analyst, Marketing Planning & Investment and Manager, Asian Marketing, 2005–2007

Updated on September 18, 2023

More information about the Board

Board Committees

The Board of Directors has two permanent committees: the Audit Committee and the Personnel and Remuneration Committee.

Main duties

The main duty of the Board of Directors of Suominen is to direct Suominen’s strategy in a way that it, in the long run, enables the delivery of the financial targets set for Suominen and maximizes shareholder value while simultaneously taking into account the expectations of the key stakeholders.

Evaluation and diversity

At Suominen, diversity has been recognized as an essential success factor in the long term. The Board of Directors conduct an annual evaluation of its operation and working methods.