Billerud has announced the appointment of Jaakko Nikkilä as President of Billerud Europe and member of the Group Management Team, effective May 1, 2025.
Nikkilä, currently Executive Vice President at UPM, leads the Specialty Paper division, which generates approximately €1.5 billion in global sales. A seasoned professional with nearly three decades of experience at UPM, he has expertise in international sales and fiber-based packaging materials production. Since 2019, he has been a member of UPM’s Group Executive Team.
Commenting on the appointment, Billerud President and CEO Ivar Vatne said, “Jaakko Nikkilä brings invaluable industry knowledge and leadership skills to our team. His experience will be key in strengthening the performance of our European operations.”
Nikkilä, born in 1967 and a Finnish citizen, will be based in Stockholm. His predecessor, Matthew Hirst, will leave Billerud on January 31, 2025. During the interim period from February to April, Vatne will assume the role of acting President for the region.
Billerud is a global leader in the production of high-quality paper and packaging materials. With a strong commitment to sustainability, quality, and customer value, Billerud serves customers in over 100 countries. The company operates nine production facilities strategically located in Sweden, the United States, and Finland.
