Board of Directors
The Board of Directors has general responsibility for Spinnova’s governance and the appropriate organisation of operations. The Board of Directors has approved rules of procedure that define the matters within the Board of Directors’ responsibility.
Duties
Pursuant to the Finnish Limited Liability Companies Act and the Articles of Association, the Board of Directors is in charge of Spinnova’s administration and the proper organization of operations, and represents the Company.
The Board of Directors adopts the Company’s strategy and monitors its implementation. The duties of the Board of Directors include approving the Company’s financial statements and interim reports and supervising the appropriateness of the accounts and the Company’s financial affairs. The Board of Directors decides on significant individual investments as well as corporate and real estate acquisitions and strategically significant business expansions and reductions, confirms the Company’s long-term strategic and financial objectives and approves budgets and risk management principles. The Board of Directors also approves and confirms the charters of Board committees, as well as the Company’s internal guidelines and remuneration policy, and decides on incentive schemes for the CEO and the personnel.
The Board of Directors also elects the CEO of Spinnova and decides on the terms of his/her employment.
Self-assessment and independence assessment
The Board of Directors evaluates its operations and working methods annually as an internal self-assessment. The Board of Directors also assesses the independence of its members from the Company and significant shareholders annually and as required.
Board composition
The Company’s Board of Directors consists of a minimum of three and maximum of eight ordinary members. The term of office of the members of the Board of Directors expires at the end of the Annual General Meeting of shareholders following their election. The Board of Directors elects a Chair from among its members for the duration of its term of office.
The Company’s Board of Directors must have sufficient expertise and as a collective must have requisite knowledge and experience in matters of the Company’s industry and business. The Company has defined the principles of the diversity of the Board. The diversity of the Board of Directors is supported by experience from the international operating environment and relevant industries, as well as cultural knowledge and the consideration of age and gender distribution.
Spinnova’s Board of Directors has seven members. The members of the Board of Directors are: Janne Poranen, Petri Kalliokoski, Hanna Liiri, Julio Ramundo, Jari Vähäpesola, Vesa Silaskivi and Sebastian Vinsten.
Janne Poranen
Chair and Member of the Board since 2022
Co-founder of the company
Born 1972
PhD in Physics
Finnish citizen
Not independent of the company, independent of major shareholders
Company shareholding: 2 663 030 shares and 8 000 2020 B options (Each 2020 B option entitles to subscribe to 30 shares)
Work history
- CEO at Spinnova Plc between 2014 and 2022
- Principal Scientist at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd between 2014 and 2015
- Head of Research Area, Fibres and Biobased Materials at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd during 2014
- Technology Manager at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd between 2006 and 2013
- Key Account Manager at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd during 2006
- Group Manager at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd between 2005 and 2006
- Deputy Group Manager at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd between 2002 and 2004
- Team Leader, VTT Processes, Fluid Dynamics Team at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd during 2002
- Senior Researcher, VTT Processes at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd between 2001 and 2002
- Expatriate, VTT Processes (University of Maine, Department of Chemical Engineering) at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd during 2001
- Research, VTT Energy at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd between 1999 and 2001
- Researcher positions at the University of Jyväskylä during 1997
Petri Kalliokoski
Deputy Chair, Member of the Board of since 2023, Member of the Audit Committee
Born 1975
Finnish citizen
Master of Science (ICT)
Independent of the company and its major shareholders
Company shareholding: 5 800 shares
Work history
- CEO & Entrepreneur, High Metal Oy 2/2018 –
- Deputy CEO at VTT between 2016 and 2018
- Executive Vice President (ICT & Electronics) at VTT between 2014 and 2018
- Senior Vice President (Strategy & Business Development) at VTT between 2010 and 2013
- CEO VTT International (part-time) at VTT between 2010 and 2015
- Vice President (Innovation) at VTT between 2006 and 2009
- Team Leader (Industrial Management) at VTT between 2002 and 2005
- Research positions at VTT between 1999 and 2001
- Technical Sales (part-time), Etherma Scandinavia Oy between 1997 and 1998
Positions of trust
- Chair, SPL Company Oy, ukko.fi (Fintech and SaaS software) 2018 –
- Member of the Board at Business Finland, 2024 –
- Chair, mcare Group Oy (Mobile devices lifecycle services) 2018 – 2023
- Chair, The Warming Surfaces Company Oy (start-up) 2023 –
- Member, Innovestor Group Oy (Venture capital, real estate) 2020 –
- Chair of the Board at Mielipalvelut Oy (Therapy services) between 2021 and 2023
- Chair of the Board at Innovestor Ventures Oy (Venture capital) between 2018 and 2021
- Vice Chair of the Board at Energent Oy (Air ventilation equipments) between 2015 and 2021
- Vice Chair of the Board at SopValm Oy (Manufacturing services) between 2015 and 2019
- Chair & Vice Chair of the Board at Makron Group Oy (Machinery workshop) between 2010 and 2019
- Member, Gasera Oy (Measurement Devices) between 2018 and 2019
- Chair of the Board at VTT Ventures Oy (Venture capital) between 2012 and 2018
- Chair of the Board at VTT Expert Services Oy (currently Eurofins Oy) between 2016 and 2018
- Member of the Board at DIMECC Oy between 2016 and 2018
- Member of the Board at Technology Industries of Finland 2021 –
- Member of the Board at Research Impact Foundation 2018 –
- Vice Chair of the Board at the New Work Association 2021
- Deputy member of the Board at Technology Industries of Finland between 2018 and 2020
- Chair of the Board at ICT Labs Helsinki between 2015 and 2017
Hanna Liiri
Member of the Board of Directors since 2018; Member of the Audit Committee
Born 1970
Finnish citizen
Master of Science (Economics)
Independent of the company and its major shareholders
Company shareholding: 4 048 680 shares (held by Besodos Investors Oy) 12 500 (personal holding) and 0 options
Work history
- Managing Partner and Portfolio Manager at Besodos Investors Oy since 2005
- Stockbroker at United Bankers Securities between 1999 and 2004
- Assistant in Financing at Jaakko Pöyry Group in 1999
- Various positions in Financial Administration in Finland and Germany at GS-Hydro Group between 1991 and 1998
Positions of trust
- Member of the Board of Directors of Rester Oy since 2022
- Member of the Board of Directors of Woodly Oy since 2017
- Member of the Board of Directors of Paptic Oy since 2015
- Member of the Board of Directors of GuardianX Technologies Ltd between 2019 and 2020
- Member of the Board of Directors Sellusta Finland Oy/Sukarwood between 2016 and 2018
- Substitute member of the Board of Directors of Spinnova Oy between 2014 and 2018
Julio Ramundo
Member of the Board of since 2023
Born 1969
Brazilian citizen
Bachelor’s degree in Economics, MBA
Not independent of the company, not independent of its major shareholders
Company shareholding: 0 shares and 0 options
Work history
SUZANO SA:
- New Business Director, CVC and Carbon 2022-
- Corporate Finance Director, CVC and Carbon, 2019-2021
BNDES – the Brazilian Development Bank:
- Deputy Managing Director (Head of Division), Industrial and Services: 2017-2019
- BNDES and BNDESPAR’s Executive Director 2011-2016
- Deputy Managing Director (Head of Division), Industrial and Services 2008-2011
- Deputy Managing Director (Head of Division), Social Infrastructure 2006-2008
- Head of the ITC Industry department 2003-2006
- Head of the Retail, Tourism and Services department 2001-2002
IFC, The World Bank:
- Summer intern (during MBA course), LATAM Division: 2000-2000
- BNDES, Assistant for the fiscal affairs division 1997-1999
- BNDES, Economist (project analyst) in the steel industry department 1993-1996
Sebastian Vinsten
Member of the Board of since 2024
Born 1977
Danish citizen
Bachelor (International Business)
Independent of the company and its major shareholders
Work history
- Chief Supply Chain Officer, NA-KD 2021 –
- Brand Director, Women’s Brand Fransa, DK Company Vejle 2019-2021
- Vice CEO/Vice President, Brand, J. Lindeberg 2017-2019
- Global Buying & Design Director, J. Lindeberg 2013-2019
- Product/Brand Director, Bestseller Fashion Group China 2008-2013
- Brand Manager, Möller & CO 2006-2008
- Buying Manager, 4YOU, Brandtex Group 2004-2006
- Buyer, Fipotex 2001-2003
Vesa Silaskivi
Member of the Board of since 2024, Chair of the Audit Committee
Born 1966
Finnish citizen
PhD in Law, Licentiate degree (Business Administration, Management and Operations)
Independent of the company and its major shareholders
Work history
- Partner, Managing Partner, Hammarström Puhakka Partners, Attorney’s Ltd 2004-2016
- Chief Financial Officer, Elisa Oyj 2002-2003
- Executive Vice President, Corporate Planning, Elisa Oyj 2000-2002
- Senior Vice President, Corporate Planning, Valio Oy 1997-2000
- Chief Legal Officer, Director of EU affairs, Valio Oy 1991-1997
Positions of trust
- Chairman of Board, FlyMaaS (LYGG)
- Chairman of Board, Biohit
- Chairman of Board, Sarastia
- Chairman of Board, Savonlinja
- Chairman of Board, Foamit Group
- Chairman of Board, Router Group
- Chairman of Board, Finanssi-Kontio
- Member of Board, Lumme Energia
- Member of Board, eMabler
- Member of Board, Fisigma Holding
- Senior Advisor, HPP Attorneys Ltd 2016-2021
Jari Vähäpesola
Member of the Board of since 2024
Born 1959
Finnish citizen
Master of Science (Mechanical Engineering)
Independent of the company and its major shareholders
Company shareholding: 12 500 shares
Work history
- Strategic Advisor, Valmet Oyj 2023
- Business Line President, Paper, Valmet Oyj 2014-2023
- President, Paper Business Line, Metso Paper Oy 2011-2013
- Senior Vice President, Paper Machines and Paper Finishing business units, Paper Business Line, Metso Paper Oy 2011
- Senior Vice President, Paper Machines business unit, Paper Business Line, Metso Paper Oy 2008-2010
- Senior Vice President, Service business unit, Paper and Board Business Line, Metso Paper Oy 2007-2008
- President, Service Business Line, Metso Paper Oy 2006-2007
- Senior Vice President, Services, Paper Business Line, Metso Paper Oy 2004-2005
- Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Service Business Line, Metso Paper Oy 2002-2004
- Managing Director, Metso Paper Limited, UK, Metso Paper Oy 2000-2001
- General Manager and Vice President, Jyväskylä Service Center, Valmet Oy 1999-2000
- Business Manager, Roll Services, Jyväskylä Service Center, Valmet Oy 1997-1999
- Product Sales Manager, Roll Services, Jyväskylä Service Center, Valmet Oy 1996-1997
- Technical Sales Manager, Roll Services, Valmet-Appleton Inc., USA, Valmet Oy 1994-1996
- Product Specialist, Roll Conditioning, Valmet-Appleton Inc., USA, Valmet Oy 1993-1994
- Product Development Engineer, Rolls and Materials, Valmet Paper Machinery, Rautpohja, Valmet Oy 1987-1993
- Product Development Engineer, New products, Inha Works, Fiskars Oy Ab 1984-1987
Positions of trust
- Adviser to Spinnova’s Board of Directors, 2023 –
- Vice Chairman of the board, JAMK University of Applied Sciences Ltd 2020-2022
- Member of the board, JAMK University of Applied Sciences Ltd 2016-2020
- Chairman of the board, Valmet Dura Oy (JV with Yamauchi Corp, Japan) 2008-2010
- Member of the board, Elomatic Paper & Mechanical Oy 2008-2010
- Member of the board, Valmet Dura Oy (JV with Yamauchi Corp, Japan) 2007-2008