Company Management
The CEO
The CEO is appointed by the Board. The CEO manages the Company’s operations in accordance with guidelines and instructions issued by the Board. The CEO acts as the Chair of the Executive Board.
Executive Board
The Executive Board of the Company is led by the CEO, and it comprises of the senior management responsible for Finnair’s products and customers, revenue, operations, digital services, finance and strategy, people and culture, communications, and legal affairs.
The Executive Board members are appointed by the Board, which also determines their remuneration.
The Executive Board assists the CEO in the strategy implementation, coordinates group-wide development projects and defines policies that guide the Company’s activities. The Executive Board members report to the CEO and their main task is to lead the daily operations of their respective units or shared functions.
The CEO and the Executive Board members
Turkka Kuusisto, b. 1979
Finnair CEO as of 24 April 2024
Education: M.Sc. (Tech.)
Background add
Key work experience:
- CEO at Posti Group since 2020
- Prior to that, senior leadership positions in Posti Group and in Lindorff Group.
Key positions of trust:
- Service Sector Employers, Chair of the Board
- Ilmarinen, member of the Supervisory Board
- Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK), member of the Board
Antti Kleemola, b. 1980
Chief Digital Officer as of 10 September 2024
Education: M.Sc. (Econ)
Background add
Key work experience
- Finnair, Chief Information Officer in 2022–2024
- Outokumpu, SVP and CIO in 2021–2022
- leadership positions in digital and IT services among others in VR Group, Vapo Group and Posti Group.
Key positions of trust:
- Directors of ICT Leaders Finland ry, Member of the Board of Directors
Kristian Pullola, b. 1973
CFO as of 1 October 2022
Education: M.Sc. (Economics)
Background add
Key work experience
- Nokia, Chief Financial Officer
- Nokia, leadership positions within accounting, finance and investor relations
Key positions of trust:
- Kemira, board member
- Terveystalo, board member
- FinanceKey, chairman of the board
- Instructor HoldCo, chairman of the board
Sami Sarelius, b. 1971
Senior Vice President and General Counsel as of 20 August 2010
Education: LLM
Background add
Key work experience
- Finnair, Legal in 1998-2010
- Roschier, Attorneys, Associate in 1996-1998
Päivyt Tallqvist, b. 1970
SVP Communications as of 1 November 2020
Education: M.Sc. (Economics)
Background add
Key work experience
- Finnair, Head of global media relations since 2011
- Nokia, communications positions, most recently as head of Press Services team
Kaisa Aalto-Luoto, b. 1979
Chief People Officer as of 23 October 2023
Education: M.Sc. (Economics)
Background add
Key work experience
- Sanoma Media Finland, Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) in 2021–2023
- Metso Outotec, VP Human Resources, Services Business Area in 2020–2021
- Outotec, SVP, Human Resources & Communications and several roles as Head of Human Resources in different business units in 2013–2020
- Mandatum Life, VP, Human Resources & Customer Experience and VP, Human Resources in 2009–2013
Key positions of trust:
- Uudenmaan Osuuspankki, member of the Board since 2022
Simon Large, b. 1969
Chief Customer Officer as of 1 October 2024
Education: BA (Bachelor of Arts)
Background add
Key work experience
- Finnair, member of the Board of Directors in 2022–2024
- Cathay Pacific Airways, several management positions in 2009–2021
Christine Rovelli, b. 1974
Chief Revenue Officer as of 10 September 2024
Education: MBA
Background add
- Finnair's SVP Strategy and Fleet from 2022 to 2024
- Senior leadership roles in resource management and finance since 2012
- Investment banking in London and New York
Key positions of trust:
- UATP, Member of the Board of Directors
- Nordic Regional Airlines, Member of the Board of Directors
- International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading (ISTAT) Foundation, Trustee
- AmCham Finland, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors
Jaakko Schildt b. 1970
Chief Operating Officer as of 1 March 2016
Education: MBA, BSc Engineering
Background add
Key work experience
- Finnair, Chief Operating Officer since 2016
- Thomas Cook Airlines UK, Accountable Manager
- Finnair, Head of Technical Services
- SAS Group, Leadership positions
Key positions of trust:
- Nordic Regional Airlines, Chair of the Board of Directors
- Kallioinen Yhtiöt, Member of the Board of Directors
- Pirkanmaan Osuuskauppa, Member of the Board of Directors
Safety Review Board add
Based on Finnair’s statutory Safety Management System (“SMS”), the Safety Review Board (“SRB”) is responsible for reviewing the Company’s safety performance and monitoring that the SMS remains effective and appropriate. The SRB is responsible for setting the objectives for the SMS and assessing the safety performance against the safety policy and objectives. The SRB reviews and ensures that appropriate resources are allocated to achieve the targeted safety performance.
The SMS is under the responsibility of the Accountable Manager as defined by the aviation regulations. The SRB is headed by the Chief Operating Officer, the Accountable Manager in the SMS, and it convenes four times per year.
Corporate Council add
The Finnair Corporate Council is principally a communication and co-operation forum designed for the personnel’s participation in the Company’s governance processes, especially with regard to matters that affect the personnel. The Corporate Council discusses the implementation of the Company’s strategic objectives and development projects that affect Finnair’s personnel as well as business plans, financial performance, the operational quality and customer satisfaction. The Corporate Council comprises the Executive Board members, certain senior managers and the representatives of all personnel groups.
In addition to the Executive Board Members, the Corporate Council also includes
- JUHO SINKKONEN, VP Flight Operations
- MARIKA NIEMINEN, VP Inflight Experience
- PEKKA KORHONEN, SVP Technical Operations
Personnel representatives in the Corporate Council
- VESA UUSPELTO, Pilot, Chairman of the Finnish Air Line Pilots' Association
- ESA HEIMONEN, Purser, Chief Shop Steward of the Finnish Cabin Crew Union
- RISTO KIVILAHTI, Chief Shop Steward of Finnish Aviation Union
- JARI KOVANEN, Expert, Chief Shop Steward of Pro
- SIRIA SVINHUFVUD, Permit Officer, Chief Shop Steward of Pro
- MERJA LINDBERG, Vendor Manager, representative of the Finnairin ylemmät ry
- SIRPA LAHTINEN, Gate Service Agent, Chief Shop Steward of Finnish Aviation Union
- JANNE ARPONEN, Expert, Chief Shop Steward of Finnish Transport Workers' Union
- TOMI LEMPINEN, Shop Steward of Aurinkomatkat Travel Guides
Investor relations
Erkka Salonen
Head of Group Accounting,
Tax and Investor Relations
Tel. +358 9 818 5101
Emilia Rannanniemi
Senior Investor Relations Manager
Tel. +358 9 818 420
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