Friday, August 1, 2025
Metsä Board Corporation, a prominent player in the forestry and packaging industry, has unveiled key leadership changes aimed at enhancing profitability, accelerating the implementation of cost-saving initiatives, and improving its customer-centric approach. The changes have been effective from August 1, 2025, and also align with the company’s commitment to driving growth through efficiency, innovation, and adaptability in response to the evolving market landscape.
These leadership changes will also lead to adjustments in the Board of Directors, as part of a broader effort to streamline operations and strengthen organisational agility. This restructuring is a vital step in the company’s broader strategy to remain competitive in the global market while maintaining its commitment to sustainability and customer-driven growth.
Erja Hyrsky, M.Sc. (Econ.), has been appointed as Senior Vice President (SVP) of Commercial Operations. Hyrsky brings a wealth of experience to this role, having served on the Metsä Board of Directors since 2021. She has also held leadership positions at Unilever, where she oversaw various business units. Hyrsky’s appointment is a significant move for Metsä Board as she steps down from the Board of Directors to focus on reshaping the company’s commercial operations. The Board of Directors will now consist of eight members, in line with the company’s Articles of Association, and no immediate replacement is needed for Hyrsky’s departure.
Minna Björkman, another experienced leader, has been appointed SVP of Containerboard. Björkman will officially begin her role in early 2026, joining Metsä Board from Stora Enso, where she held several key leadership positions in business strategy and operations. Her vast expertise will be crucial in advancing Metsä Board’s containerboard operations, contributing to the company’s overall mission of sustainability and product innovation.
Jussi Noponen, M.Sc. (Tech.), has been named SVP of Production and Supply Chain. Noponen has been with Metsä Group for over two decades, having served in various leadership and financial roles, including as CFO of Metsä Board from 2016 to 2021. Most recently, Noponen held the role of SVP of Sales and Supply Chain. His extensive experience within the company makes him an ideal candidate to oversee production and supply chain strategies, ensuring efficient and sustainable operations as Metsä Board expands its market presence.
Laura Remes, M.Sc. (Tech.), who was appointed SVP of Business Development in October 2024, will now take on the role of SVP of Business Transformation. Remes is set to start in this new capacity no later than October 6, 2025. She joins Metsä Board from UPM, where she led various business development and leadership projects. Her appointment reflects the company’s drive to evolve its business model and enhance its transformational initiatives.
The leadership team will also retain key personnel in existing roles. Henri Sederholm will continue to serve as CFO, a role he has held since 2021, while Camilla Wikström will remain SVP of HR, a position she has held since 2019. Both Sederholm and Wikström bring invaluable expertise and continuity to the corporate management team as the company moves forward with its strategic initiatives.
As part of the reshuffle, two senior executives, Markku Leskelä and Harri Pihlajaniemi, will step down from the Corporate Management Team effective August 1, 2025. While Leskelä will transition to a Senior Advisor role until January 2026, Pihlajaniemi’s departure marks the end of his tenure with Metsä Board. The company expresses its gratitude for their significant contributions and wishes them all the best in their future endeavors.
CEO Esa Kaikkonen highlighted the importance of these leadership changes in positioning the company for future growth. “Customer- and market-driven growth requires strong, new kinds of expertise. The changes announced today support this development. We need a clear and transformative approach to respond to the challenges of the operating environment and targeted actions that require fresh thinking, efficiency, and agility,” said Kaikkonen.
The future vision for Metsä Board
Metsä Board, known for producing lightweight and high-quality folding boxboards, food service boards, and white kraftliners, is committed to using renewable and recyclable resources sourced from Northern European forests. The company aims to have fully fossil-free mills and raw materials by 2030, underscoring its dedication to sustainability in the forestry and packaging sectors.
With the new leadership appointments, Metsä Board is poised to continue its commitment to sustainability and improve its market positioning. The company’s focus on customer-centricity will ensure that it remains responsive to market needs while maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders across the value chain.
The leadership changes reflect a broader trend within the forestry and packaging industries toward more sustainable and customer-focused operations. Companies like Metsä Board are recognising the need for agility and innovation in order to thrive in an increasingly competitive and environmentally-conscious marketplace.
The updated corporate management team, effective from August 1, 2025, will consist of the following individuals:
Metsä Board will continue to report externally in its current structure, ensuring transparency and alignment with its financial and operational goals. The strategic shifts within the company, from leadership appointments to sustainability initiatives, highlight Metsä Board’s commitment to being a global leader in the forestry and packaging industries. As part of Metsä Group, Metsä Board benefits from the extensive resources and expertise of the parent company, which over 90,000 Finnish forest owners own own own own. In 2024, Metsä Board reported sales totaling EUR 1.9 billion and employs around 2,300 people. These leadership changes will further strengthen the company’s position as a top player in the packaging and sustainable forestry sectors.
Metsä Board is still on course to reach its long-term goals, such as sustainability goals and sustained expansion in its global operations. This is because it is adjusting to market needs and continuing to focus on innovation.
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Tags: best European appointment news, commercial operations, containerboard, corporate management changes, customer-centric strategy, Forestry 4.0, forestry industry news, leadership changes in 2025, Metsä Board, Metsä Group, packaging industry news, production and supply chain, sustainability in forestry, value chain
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