Executive Leadership Team
Thomas Hinnerskov
President and CEO
Valmet shareholding: 0 shares
born 1971
M.Sc. (Econ.)
Danish citizen
Thomas Hinnerskov is the President and CEO of Valmet Oyj since August 2024. He joined Valmet from Mediq B.V. where he worked as the CEO since 2022. Prior to that, Thomas Hinnerskov was the Executive Vice President at Kone responsible for South Europe, Middle East and Africa between 2021-2022 and Executive Vice President for Central Europe between 2016-2021. Earlier in his career Thomas Hinnerskov has had several leadership positions in ISS A/S between 2003-2016, and before that he worked in versatile management positions in a private equity fund, in consulting and in investment banking sector. He holds a Master of Science degree in Economics.
Katri Hokkanen
CFO
Valmet shareholding: 9,793 shares
born 1981
M.Sc. (Econ.)
Finnish citizen
Katri Hokkanen is Valmet's CFO since August 1, 2022. Before taking over as CFO, she served as interim CFO from May 1 to July 31, 2022. Prior to that, she was Vice President, Finance of Valmet’s Pulp and Energy business line between 2017 and 2022. Hokkanen was the Head of Finance, Asia Pacific at Valmet between 2015 and 2017 and Manager, Finance of EMEA services business at Valmet between 2013 and 2015. Hokkanen was Business Controller, Services of Metso Paper Inc. in 2011–2013 and Assistant Business Controller of Metso Paper Inc. in 2008–2011. She was Accountant and Senior Accountant of Metso’s Shared Services in 2006–2008. Katri Hokkanen holds a Master of Science degree in Economics.
Petri Rasinmäki
EVP Packaging and Paper, and interim EVP Tissue
Valmet shareholding: 2,929 shares
born 1974
M.Sc. (Eng), EMBA
Finnish citizen
Petri Rasinmäki leads Valmet’s Packaging and Paper business area since July, 2025. Prior to that, he led Valmet's Paper business line since from 2023 to 2025. He was the
Vice President, Board and Paper Mills business unit, Paper business line at Valmet from 2021 to 2023, Director, Board and Paper Machines technology unit, Paper business line at Valmet from 2018 to 2021, and General Manager, Mill Improvements Finland, EMEA area organization at Valmet from 2013 to 2017. At Metso, he has served as the General Manager, Service Technology Center from 2011 to 2013, Global Technology Manager from 2009 to 2011, Manager, CCR Paper Technology from 2007 to 2009, and Paper Technology Manager from 2004 to 2007. He was the Production Superintendent, Cartiere Burgo S.p.A at Verzuolo Mill, Italy from 2001 to 2004. Petri Rasinmäki holds a Master of Science degree in Engineering and an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) degree.
Sami Riekkola
EVP Pulp, Energy and Circularity
Valmet shareholding: 24,455 shares
born 1974
M.Sc. (Eng.)
Finnish citizen
Sami Riekkola leads Valmet’s Pulp, Energy and Circularity business area since July, 2025. Prior to that, he led Valmet's Pulp and Energy business line. He was President, Automation Systems business line at Valmet between 2018 and 2022. Sami Riekkola was Vice President of Energy and Process Systems in 2018 and Vice President, Central and Southern EMEA, Automation Business Line between 2015 and 2018. Sami Riekkola has a long career in the automation business at Valmet and Metso since 1998: Vice President Automation, Sales, Central Eastern Europe 2013–2015, Director, Machine Vision Product Group 2010–2013, Engineering Manager 2006–2010, Product Manager Profilers & Quality Management Systems 2004–2006, Senior Customer Service Engineer, Australia and New Zealand 2003–2004, and Project Engineer 1998–2003. Sami Riekkola holds a Master of Science degree in Engineering, Automation Technologies.
Emilia Torttila-Miettinen
EVP Automation Solutions
Valmet shareholding: 2,884 shares
born 1979
M.Sc. (Eng.)
Finnish citizen
Emilia Torttila-Miettinen leads Valmet's Automation Solutions business area since July, 2025. Prior to that, she led Valmet's Automation Systems business line from 2022 to 2025. She has worked in Valmet’s and Metso’s automation business in different management positions: Vice President, Operations of Automation Systems business line 2020 – 2022, Director, Automation Services, North and East Europe 2018 – 2020, Manager, Automation Services 2014 – 2018, and Product Manager 2013 – 2014. In 2003 – 2013 Emilia Torttila-Miettinen held various global specialist and engineering positions in Metso’s automation and paper business. Emilia Torttila-Miettinen holds a Master of Science degree in Engineering.
Simo Sääskilahti
EVP Flow Control
Valmet shareholding: 8,170 shares
born: 1971
M.Sc. (Eng.), M.Sc. (Econ.)
Finnish citizen
Simo Sääskilahti leads Valmet’s Flow Control business area since July, 2025. Prior to that, he led Valmet's Flow Control business line since 2022. He was Neles Corporation’s Interim President and CEO in 2022 and CFO and Deputy to CEO in 2020–2022. He served as Senior Vice President, Valve Technologies/Valve Equipment unit in Valves Business Area in Metso Oyj in 2016–2019. He was Senior Vice President, Strategy and Business Development in Metso Oyj in 2013–2016 and Vice President, Business Development for Automation segment in Metso Oyj in 2011–2013. Prior to that, held several management positions in Comptel Corporation in 2001–2011 and was Management Consultant in McKinsey & Co in 1997–2001. Simo Sääskilahti holds Master of Science degrees in Engineering and Economics.
Celso Tacla
EVP Latin America
Valmet shareholding: 80,116 shares
born 1964
MBA
Production Engineer
Chemical Engineer
Brazilian citizen
Celso Tacla leads Valmet’s Latin America unit since July, 2025. Prior to that, he led Valmet's South America area organization from 2014 to 2025. He was South America Area President for Metso’s Pulp, Paper and Power from 2011 to 2013. Prior to that he was President of Metso Paper South America 2008–2011 and Power business line Director 2007–2008. He has also served as Director of Power business line at Kvaerner do Brasil between 2004-2007 and Commercial Manager 2000–2004. He was Sales Manager for Kvaerner Pulping from 1994 to 2000. In addition, Tacla was Sales Manager at Gotaverken Energy do Brasil 1992–1994. Earlier in his career, he held various positions at Cocelpa Cia de Celulose e Papel do Paraná 1986–1992. Tacla is a member of the Board of Directors at Brazilian Technical Association of Pulp and Paper (ABTCP) and at the Brazilian Association for the Machinery and Equipment Industry, PR Regional Office (ABIMAQ/SINDIMAQ-PR), member of the Environment and Sustainability Thematic Council of FIEP (Federation of Industries of the State of Paraná) and also an associate member of the IBGC (Brasilian Institute of Corporate Governance). Celso Tacla holds a Master of Business Administration degree and is Production engineer and Chemical engineer.
Xiangdong Zhu
EVP China Chair
Valmet shareholding: 39,406 shares
born 1967
B.Sc. (Eng.)
MBA
Chinese citizen
Xiangdong Zhu leads Valmet's China Chair since July, 2025. Prior to that, he led Valmet's China area from 2017 to 2025. He was Vice President, Services, China at Valmet from 2013 to 2017. Prior to that Zhu was employed as Vice President, Automation at Voith Paper China 2011–2012 and Vice President, Capital Sales and Application at Voith Paper China 2012–2013. Xiangdong Zhu has worked in many management positions at Valmet Automation in China: Country Manager 2007–2011, Sales Director 2004–2006 and Sales Manager 1998–2003. He worked as Department Manager, Automation and Electrification at Stora Enso (Suzhou) Paper Co. Ltd 1992–1998 and as Engineer in Suzhou Signal and Communication Department of Shanghai Railway Bureau 1989–1992. Xiangdong Zhu holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Automation and Master of Business Administration degree (MBA).
Aki Niemi
EVP Global Supply
Valmet shareholding: 46,098 shares
born 1969
M.Sc. (Eng.)
Finnish citizen
Aki Niemi leads Valmet's Global Supply unit since July, 2025. Prior to that, he led the Services business line from 2017 to 2025. He was the Area President of China at Valmet from 2013 to 2017 and the Area President of China of Metso Pulp, Paper and Power in 2013. Niemi was the Vice President of Operations of China of Metso Pulp, Paper and Power between 2011 and 2013. Prior to that, he was the General Manager of Onsite operations of Metso’s Paper and Board Machine business unit between 2007 and 2011 and the Manager of Process Start-ups of Metso’s Paper and Board business line between 2003 and 2007. Niemi acted as the Senior Manager of Metso’s Paper Technology between 1997 and 2003 and Customer Service Engineer at Valmet Corporation between 1994 and 1997. Aki Niemi holds a Master of Science degree in Engineering.
Anu Pires
EVP People, Communications and Culture
Valmet shareholding: 0 shares
born 1970
M.Sc. (Econ.)
Finnish citizen
Anu Pires leads Valmet's EVP People, Communications and Culture function since July 2025. Prior to that, she led Valmet's HR function since September 2024. Anu Pires joined Valmet from Paulig Group, where she worked as SVP, Human Resources since 2018. Anu is an experienced HR leader who has gained extensive international experience by working in many multinational companies across several countries, covering both industrial and consumer businesses. Prior to Paulig, Anu worked as VP of HR at Lumene from 2017 to 2018, in different HR management positions at Outotec from 2015 to 2017, and as Head of HR, APAC Mobile Device Sales, Nokia integration at Microsoft in Singapore from 2014 to 2015. Between 1998 and 2014, she held HR management roles at Nokia, working in Finland, Brazil, China, and India. Anu began her career in human resources as HR trainee and specialist at Valmet from 1996 to 1998.
Olli Hänninen
EVP Strategy and Transformation
Valmet shareholding: 1,400 shares
born 1980
M.Sc. (Eng.)
Finnish citizen
Olli Hänninen is Valmet’s EVP Strategy and Transformation, since July 1, 2025. Prior to that, he was Valmet’s Senior Vice President, Strategy from October 2024 to July 2025. Previously, he worked in several different management positions in the services business of KONE between 2014 and 2024, where his last position was Senior Vice President, Service Business between 2022 and 2024. Before that he was the Head of Service Business, Central and North Europe between 2020 and 2021, Head of Modernization Business, Central and North Europe in 2019 and Head of Service Transformation, Greater China between 2017 and 2018. His first position at KONE was Head of Service Business Development from 2014 to 2016. Before his career at KONE, he worked as an Associate Partner at McKinsey & Company in 2004–2014. Olli Hänninen holds a Master of Science degree in Industrial Management.
Rasmus Oksala
EVP Legal, General Counsel
Valmet shareholding: 17,368 shares
born 1970
LL.M.
Finnish citizen
Rasmus Oksala is Valmet’s EVP Legal, and General Counsel, since July 2025. He has been leading Valmet Oyj’s legal function since 2014. He is responsible for legal, compliance, corporate relations, and IPR. In addition, he is Secretary to the Valmet Oyj Board of Directors and the Valmet Shareholders Nomination Board and member of the Corporate Compliance Committee. He was the Senior Vice President, Legal of Metso’s Pulp, Paper and Power segment between 2011 and 2013. Before that he served as the Vice President, Legal in Metso’s Paper and Fiber technologies segment from 2007 to 2010, and Legal Counsel for Metso Paper Oy from 2000 to 2006. Prior to Metso, he worked as Lawyer and Limited partner at Matti Oksala Law Office from 1997 to 2000. Rasmus Oksala holds a Master of Laws degree.