Executive team
Thomas Hinnerskov
President and CEO
Valmet shareholding: 0 shares
born 1971
M.Sc. (Econ.)
Danish citizen
Thomas Hinnerskov is the President and CEO of Valmet Oyj since August 2024. He joined Valmet from Mediq B.V. where he worked as the CEO since 2022. Prior to that, Thomas Hinnerskov was the Executive Vice President at Kone responsible for South Europe, Middle East and Africa between 2021-2022 and Executive Vice President for Central Europe between 2016-2021. Earlier in his career Thomas Hinnerskov has had several leadership positions in ISS A/S between 2003-2016, and before that he worked in versatile management positions in a private equity fund, in consulting and in investment banking sector. He holds a Master of Science degree in Economics.
Aki Niemi
Business Line President, Services
Valmet shareholding: 44,783 shares
born 1969
M.Sc. (Eng.)
Finnish citizen
Aki Niemi leads Valmet's Services business line since 2017. He was the Area President of China at Valmet from 2013 to 2017 and the Area President of China of Metso Pulp, Paper and Power in 2013. Niemi was the Vice President of Operations of China of Metso Pulp, Paper and Power between 2011 and 2013. Prior to that, he was the General Manager of Onsite operations of Metso’s Paper and Board Machine business unit between 2007 and 2011 and the Manager of Process Start-ups of Metso’s Paper and Board business line between 2003 and 2007. Niemi acted as the Senior Manager of Metso’s Paper Technology between 1997 and 2003 and Customer Service Engineer at Valmet Corporation between 1994 and 1997. Aki Niemi holds a Master of Science degree in Engineering.
Emilia Torttila-Miettinen
Business Line President, Automation Systems
Valmet shareholding: 2,884 shares
born 1979
M.Sc. (Eng.)
Finnish citizen
Emilia Torttila-Miettinen leads Valmet's Automation Systems business line since 2022. She has worked in Valmet’s and Metso’s automation business in different management positions: Vice President, Operations of Automation Systems business line 2020 – 2022, Director, Automation Services, North and East Europe 2018 – 2020, Manager, Automation Services 2014 – 2018, and Product Manager 2013 – 2014. In 2003 – 2013 Emilia Torttila-Miettinen held various engineering positions in Metso’s automation and paper business. Emilia Torttila-Miettinen holds a Master of Science degree in Engineering.
Simo Sääskilahti
Business Line President, Flow Control
Valmet shareholding: 6,855 shares
born: 1971
M.Sc. (Eng.), M.Sc. (Econ.)
Finnish citizen
Simo Sääskilahti leads Valmet’s Flow Control business line since 2022. He was Neles Corporation’s Interim President and CEO in 2022 and CFO and Deputy to CEO in 2020–2022. He served as Senior Vice President, Valve Technologies/Valve Equipment unit in Valves Business Area in Metso Oyj in 2016–2019. He was Senior Vice President, Strategy and Business Development in Metso Oyj in 2013–2016 and Vice President, Business Development Automation in Metso Oyj in 2011–2013. Prior to that, held several management positions in Comptel Corporation in 2001–2011 and was Management Consultant in McKinsey & Co in 1997–2001. Simo Sääskilahti holds a Master of Science degree in Engineering and Economics.
Sami Riekkola
Business Line President, Pulp and Energy
Valmet shareholding: 23,187 shares
born 1974
M.Sc. (Eng.)
Finnish citizen
Sami Riekkola leads Valmet’s Pulp and Energy business line. He was President, Automation Systems business line at Valmet between 2018 and 2022. Sami Riekkola was Vice President of Energy and Process Systems in 2018 and Vice President, Central and Southern EMEA, Automation Business Line between 2015 and 2018. Sami Riekkola has a long career in the automation business at Valmet and Metso since 1998: Vice President Automation, Sales, Central Eastern Europe 2013–2015, Director, Machine Vision Product Group 2010–2013, Engineering Manager 2006–2010, Product Manager Profilers & Quality Management Systems 2004–2006, Senior Customer Service Engineer, Australia and New Zealand 2003–2004, and Project Engineer 1998–2003. Sami Riekkola holds a Master of Science degree in Engineering, Automation Technologies.
Petri Rasinmäki
Business Line President, Paper
Valmet shareholding: 2,929 shares
born 1974
M.Sc. (Eng), EMBA
Finnish citizen
Petri Rasinmäki leads Valmet’s Paper business line since September 2023. He was the
Vice President, Board and Paper Mills business unit, Paper business line at Valmet from 2021 to 2023, Director, Board and Paper Machines technology unit, Paper business line at Valmet from 2018 to 2021, and General Manager, Mill Improvements Finland, Services business line at Valmet from 2013 to 2017. At Metso, he has served as the General Manager, Service Technology Center from 2011 to 2013, Global Technology Manager from 2009 to 2011, Manager, CCR Paper Technology from 2007 to 2009, and Paper Technology Manager from 2004 to 2007. He was the Production Superintendent, Cartiere Burgo S.p.A at Verzuolo Mill, Italy from 2001 to 2004. Petri Rasinmäki holds a Master of Science degree in Engineering and an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) degree.
Jukka Tiitinen
Area President, North America
Valmet shareholding: 45,040 shares
born 1965
M.Sc. (Eng.)
Finnish and US citizen
Jukka Tiitinen leads Valmet's North America area organization since 2021. He led Valmet’s Asia-Pacific area organization from 2017 to 2021. He was Business Line President of Valmet’s Services business line from 2013 to 2017 and the President of the Services business line of Metso Pulp, Paper and Power from 2011 to 2013. Prior to that Tiitinen was the President of Metso Paper, Inc. North America between 2004 and 2011 and the President of Metso Paper, Oy’s Service business line between 2001 and 2004. Earlier Tiitinen was the Vice President of Roll Services of North America business unit at Metso Paper USA Inc./Valmet Inc. between 2000 and 2001. He has held various management positions in Valmet Corporation and Metso in North America, Australia, Finland and Thailand. Jukka Tiitinen holds a Master of Science degree in Engineering.
Celso Tacla
Area President, South America
Valmet shareholding: 78,512 shares
born 1964
MBA
Production Engineer
Chemical Engineer
Brazilian citizen
Celso Tacla leads Valmet’s South America area organization since 2014. He was South America Area President for Metso’s Pulp, Paper and Power from 2011 to 2013. Prior to that he was President of Metso Paper South America 2008–2011 and Power business line Director 2007–2008. He has also served as Director of Power business line at Kvaerner do Brasil between 2004-2007 and Commercial Manager 2000–2004. He was Sales Manager for Kvaerner Pulping from 1994 to 2000. In addition, Tacla was Sales Manager at Gotaverken Energy do Brasil 1992–1994. Previously he held various positions at Cocelpa Cia de Celulose e Papel do Paraná 1986–1992. Tacla is a member of the Board of Directors at Brazilian Technical Association of Pulp and Paper (ABTCP) and at the Brazilian Association for the Machinery and Equipment Industry, PR Regional Office (ABIMAQ/SINDIMAQ-PR), and also an associate member of the IBGC (Brasilian Institute of Corporate Governance). Celso Tacla holds a Master of Business Administration degree and is Production engineer and Chemical engineer.
Tero Kokko
Area President, EMEA
Valmet shareholding: 4,104
born 1973
Ph.D. (Eng.), M.Sc. (Econ.)
Finnish citizen
Tero Kokko leads Valmet’s EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) area organization since June 2023. Previously he has worked as the Vice President, Fabrics business unit, Services business line at Valmet from 2020 to 2023. Prior to that, he has held several positions at Cargotec: Senior Vice President, Kalmar Automation Solution 2019-2020, Senior Vice President, Automation and Projects division, Kalmar 2016-2019, Managing Director, Cargotec Finland 2016-2020, Vice President, Horizontal transportation, Kalmar 2012-2016, and Vice President, Yard Cranes 2011-2012. At Metso Automation, he has served as the Director, Control Measurement solution 2009-2011, Director, Business Development 2008-2009 and Product manager 2004-2008. He was the Senior researcher at Tampere University of Technology 2003-2004 and Research engineer at Tampere University of Technology 1998-2002. Tero Kokko holds a Ph.D. degree in Engineering and Master of Science degree in Economics.
Xiangdong Zhu
Area President, China
Valmet shareholding: 38,079 shares
born 1967
B.Sc. (Eng.)
MBA
Chinese citizen
Xiangdong Zhu leads Valmet's China area since 2017. He was Vice President, Services, China at Valmet from 2013 to 2017. Prior to that Zhu was employed as Vice President, Automation at Voith Paper China 2011–2012 and Vice President, Capital Sales and Application at Voith Paper China 2012–2013. Xiangdong Zhu has worked in many management positions at Valmet Automation in China: Country Manager 2007–2011, Sales Director 2004–2006 and Sales Manager 1998–2003. He worked as Department Manager, Automation and Electrification at Stora Enso (Suzhou) Paper Co. Ltd 1992–1998 and as Engineer in Suzhou Signal and Communication Department of Shanghai Railway Bureau 1989–1992. Xiangdong Zhu holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Automation and Master of Business Administration degree (MBA).
Petri Paukkunen
Area President, Asia-Pacific
Valmet shareholding: 15,986 shares
born 1966
B.Sc. (Eng.)
Finnish citizen
Petri Paukkunen leads Valmet’s Asia-Pacific area organization since 2021. Previously he worked as Vice President, Board and Paper Mills business unit in Valmet’s Paper Business Line. He was Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Board and Paper Mills business unit in Valmet’s Paper business line from 2012 to 2018, Vice President, Finishing rebuild in Metso Paper from 2009 to 2012, General Manager, Winder business in Metso Paper from 2007 to 2008, and General Manager, Roll finishing system sales in Metso Paper from 2004 to 2007. From 1991 to 2004 Petri Paukkunen worked in different process specialist and manager positions in Metso and Valmet in Finland and in the USA. He was a member of the Board of Directors at Allimand Group 2012–2021 and a member of the Board in the Finnish Forest Products Engineers association 2012–2019. Petri Paukkunen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Paper Engineering.
Katri Hokkanen
CFO
Valmet shareholding: 9,295 shares
born 1981
M.Sc. (Econ.)
Finnish citizen
Katri Hokkanen is Valmet's CFO since August 1, 2022. Before taking over as CFO, she served as interim CFO from May 1 to July 31, 2022. Prior to that, she was Vice President, Finance of Valmet’s Pulp and Energy business line between 2017 and 2022. Hokkanen was the Head of Finance, Asia Pacific at Valmet between 2015 and 2017 and Manager, Finance of EMEA services business at Valmet between 2013 and 2015. Hokkanen was Business Controller, Services of Metso Paper Inc. between 2011–2013 and Assistant Business Controller of Metso Paper Inc. between 2008–2011. She was Accountant and Senior Accountant of Metso’s Shared Services between 2006–2008. Katri Hokkanen holds a Master of Science degree in Economics.
Anu Pires
Senior Vice President, Human Resources
Valmet shareholding: 0 shares
born 1970
M.Sc. (Econ.)
Finnish citizen
Anu Pires leads Valmet's HR business line since September 2024. Anu Pires joined Valmet from Paulig Group, where she worked as SVP, Human Resources since 2018. Anu is an experienced HR leader who has gained extensive international experience by working in many multinational companies across several countries, covering both industrial and consumer businesses. Prior to Paulig, Anu worked as VP of HR at Lumene from 2017 to 2018, in different HR management positions at Outotec from 2015 to 2017, and as Head of HR, APAC Mobile Device Sales, Nokia integration at Microsoft in Singapore from 2014 to 2015. Between 1998 and 2014, she held HR management roles at Nokia, working in Brazil, China, and India. Anu began her career in human resources as HR trainee and specialist at Valmet from 1996 to 1998.
Janne Pynnönen
Senior Vice President, Operational Development
Valmet shareholding: 1,087 shares
born 1977
M.Sc. (Eng)
Finnish citizen
Janne Pynnönen leads Valmet’s Operational Development since 2024. He was the Vice President, R&D at Valmet from 2020 to 2024. He has held several positions at Stora Enso: Head of LVL business line at Wood Products from 2018 to 2020, Head of Innovation and Head of Building Systems at Wood Products from 2015 to 2018, Director, R&D and Innovation at Building and Living from 2014 to 2015, Platform Director at Building and Living from 2012 to 2014, Manager, Business Development at Building and Living from 2010 to 2012 and Research Scientist/Project Manager at Consumer Boards from 2004 to 2010. Janne Pynnönen holds a Master of Science degree in Engineering.
Anu Salonsaari-Posti
Senior Vice President, Marketing, Communications, Sustainability and Corporate Relations
Valmet shareholding: 37,300 shares
born 1968
M.Sc. (Econ.)
MBA
Finnish citizen
Anu Salonsaari-Posti leads Valmet’s Marketing, Communications, Sustainability and Corporate Relations since 2014. She was the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications of Metso Pulp, Paper and Power in 2013. Salonsaari-Posti was the Vice President of Group Communications of Metsä Group between 2010 and 2013. Prior to that, she was the Head of Communications and Sustainability of Heat Division of Fortum Corporation between 2009 and 2010 and the Vice President of Communications and Marketing of Fortum Power and Heat Oy between 1999 and 2009. Salonsaari-Posti held various positions at Imatran Voima Oy, including Marketing and Communications Manager between 1997 and 1998, Marketing Manager between 1995 and 1997 and Marketing Planner between 1994 and 1995. Anu Salonsaari-Posti holds a Master of Science degree in Economics and Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree.
Olli Hänninen
Senior Vice President, Strategy
Valmet shareholding: 400 shares
born 1980
M.Sc. (Eng.)
Finnish citizen
Olli Hänninen is Valmet’s Senior Vice President, Strategy, since October 1, 2024. Previously, he worked in several different management positions in the services business of KONE between 2014 and 2024, where his last position was Senior Vice President, Service Business between 2022 and 2024. Before that he was the Head of Service Business, Central and North Europe between 2020 and 2021, Head of Modernization Business, Central and North Europe in 2019 and Head of Service Transformation, Greater China between 2017 and 2018. His first position at KONE was Head of Service Business Development from 2014 to 2016. Before his career at KONE, he worked as an Associate Partner at McKinsey & Company in 2004–2014. Olli Hänninen holds a Master of Science degree in Industrial Management.