Jussi Vanhanen, LLM, MBA, has been appointed as Metsäliitto Cooperative’s new CEO. He will also be the President and CEO of Metsä Group. Jussi Vanhanen will start in his new position on 1 July 2025. Until 30 June 2025, the position will be held by Metsä Group’s current President and CEO Ilkka Hämälä, who will then transfer to special duties within the company. These duties will continue until 23 October 2025, when he retires.
Jussi Vanhanen has been a member of Metsäliitto Cooperative’s Board of Directors since 2022 and is already familiar with the key aspects of the company.
Jussi Linnaranta, Chairman of the Board of Metsäliitto Cooperative, says that Vanhanen has extensive experience of the industry and international tasks over a long period.
“Jussi Vanhanen is a values-based leader with a very strong strategic mindset and an inspiring and inclusive style of leadership. He understands the strengths and opportunities of the cooperative ownership structure to the processing of high-value-added products based on Finnish wood raw material for the global market. I wish him the best of luck and success in this important position,” says Jussi Linnaranta.
Jussi Vanhanen says he is enthusiastic about taking up the position.
“I’m grateful for the vote of confidence. Metsä Group is a great company with strong operating principles, a clear direction, and committed and competent personnel. I’m looking forward to working closely with the entire personnel and developing the company, further strengthening its position in global markets.”
“Ilkka Hämälä has had a long and successful career in the company and has played a key role in boosting Metsä Group’s growth and development. During Ilkka Hämälä’s time as President and CEO, significant development investments have been carried out, the largest being the construction of the Kemi bioproduct mill. Resource efficiency and the utilisation of side streams, as well as the launch of the principles of regenerative forestry and land use, are indications of responsible business and solutions for the bio- and circular economies,” Linnaranta says.