The Board of Directors of Valmet Automotive, which is expanding its business beyond car manufacturing, has been reorganized following the Finnish State becoming the company’s majority owner. The seven-member Valmet Automotive Board of Directors comprises Kari Heinistö, Timo Kokkila, and Sven Ennerst as well as the new members Pekka Kuusniemi, Sinikka Mustakari, Riitta Palomäki, and Jari Vähäpesola, who joined the Board in fall 2025.
“I am very pleased that we have a broad range of industrial expertise and experience in the Board. This is exactly what the company needs as it expands its business to new sectors beyond the automotive industry,” says Chair of Valmet Automotive Board of Directors Kari Heinistö.
Pekka Kuusniemi has had a long and diverse career in international companies, among other roles as the CEO of Raisio Plc and Oras Group. He currently serves as the CEO of VAK Group, a company focused on manufacturing and service of heavy-duty transportation. Kuusniemi also serves as the Chair of Koskisen Corporation Board of Directors.
Sinikka Mustakari has worked for almost 20 years in various positions in the State Ownership Steering Department. She has strong expertise in the ownership strategy work and financial analysis of state-owned companies. Mustakari also has extensive experience in board work in state-owned companies. She is also a member of the boards of Edita Group and Suomen Viljava.
Riitta Palomäki has extensive experience in international industrial companies, including Caverion, Uponor, Kuusakoski Group, ABB, and Konecranes. She is also a member of the board of Eltel AB.
Jari Vähäpesola has served more than 36 years at Valmet Inc. and its preceding companies, having held management positions in many different business areas. Most recently, he served as President of the Paper business line and a member of the Executive Team (2011–2023). Vähäpesola is also a member of the board of Spinnova Plc.
Sven Ennerst has served in Valmet Automotive Board of Directors since 2022. He has an international career of over 30 years in executive roles at Daimler AG and Daimler Truck AG. He has very extensive experience in automotive business and innovation management as well as in CO2 neutral technologies.
Continuity in the Board is also supported by Timo Kokkila, a member of the Board of Pontos Group, a minority owner of Valmet Automotive. Kokkila is an experienced investment professional with several years of experience in different boards.
Kari Heinistö, who has served in Valmet Automotive Board of Directors since 2018, continues as the Chair of the Board. Heinistö serves as the Chair in several other industrial companies.
Additional Information:
Kari Heinistö, Chair of the Board, Valmet Automotive
Interview requests: Nadja Doyle, nadja.doyle@valmet-automotive.com, +358 50 317 0538
Image bank available at Media | Valmet Automotive (valmet-automotive.com)
www.valmet-automotive.com
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