UPM has announced the appointment of Sami Pauni as Executive Vice President, General Counsel, effective no later than January 24, 2026.
Pauni will join UPM’s Group Executive Team and report directly to President and CEO Massimo Reynaudo.
A Finnish national, Pauni brings nearly two decades of experience from Huhtamäki Oyj, where he has held multiple senior leadership roles since 2006, including responsibilities in legal, corporate responsibility, sustainability, risk management, and intellectual property. He has been a member of Huhtamäki’s Global Executive Team since 2015, most recently serving as Executive Vice President of Sustainability, Corporate Affairs and Legal. Pauni holds a Master of Laws degree and will be based in Helsinki.
“I warmly welcome Sami to UPM and the Group Executive Team,” said Reynaudo. “His broad expertise in legal, compliance, and governance, along with relevant industry experience, will serve us well.”
Pauni will succeed Juha Mäkelä, who is retiring after two decades as UPM’s Group General Counsel. Mäkelä will remain in his current position until the end of 2025 and will continue as Senior Adviser in the first half of 2026 to ensure a smooth leadership transition.
“On behalf of the entire company, I want to thank Juha for his outstanding contribution over the past 20 years,” added Reynaudo. “He has been a trusted and highly respected leader and colleague.”
UPM, headquartered in Finland, is a global material solutions company known for its innovation in renewable fibres, advanced materials, and decarbonization solutions. With approximately 15,800 employees, UPM reported annual sales of €10.3 billion and is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.
