Metsä Board has announced changes to its management team and board of directors as part of its strategy to improve profitability and enhance customer focus.
The changes, effective August 1, 2025, are part of a broader transformation effort aimed at accelerating cost savings and strengthening the company’s market-driven approach.
Among the key appointments, Erja Hyrsky has been named Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations. A board member since 2021, Hyrsky brings experience from global consumer goods leader Unilever. Her resignation from the board reduces its membership to eight, in line with company requirements.
Minna Björkman will assume the role of SVP, Containerboard in January 2026, joining from Stora Enso. Meanwhile, Jussi Noponen has been appointed SVP, Production and Supply Chain, after years in senior roles within Metsä Group. Laura Remes, most recently with UPM, will become SVP, Business Transformation by October 2025.
Chief Financial Officer Henri Sederholm and SVP, Human Resources Camilla Wikström will continue in their current roles. Two executives, Markku Leskelä and Harri Pihlajaniemi, will step down from the corporate management team. Leskelä will serve as Senior Advisor until early 2026.
“Our success in a challenging market requires new capabilities and a more agile, focused organization,” said CEO Esa Kaikkonen. “These changes reflect our commitment to strengthening customer relationships and improving performance.”
Metsä Board, a producer of premium fresh fibre paperboards, continues to target fossil-free production by 2030. The company is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki and operates under the ownership of Metsä Group, which represents over 90,000 Finnish forest owners.
