Appointment Strengthens East Office in Ukraine
The board of directors of East Office of Finnish Industries Oy has appointed Janne Harjunpää as the company’s new CEO. Harjunpää will assume his role on August 1, 2023. The decision was driven by his extensive expertise in Ukraine, profound understanding of international financial institutions, and a proven track record of success in demanding environments.
The executive chairman of the East Office Board Ilkka Salonen expressed great satisfaction with the outcome of the recruitment process initiated in late spring:
A change in leadership is always a significant turning point for a company. Under Lauri Veijalainen, East Office thrived even in a situation where it had to reevaluate its very existence: With our team’s unwavering commitment and Lauri’s tireless energy, a new mission for East Office was created. Thus, while Lauri’s own departure announcement in the spring was met with a sense of sadness, it allowed us to carry out a meticulous recruitment process to find the best possible candidate to reinforce our new strategy.
The position garnered widespread interest, and I extend my gratitude to all those involved. Janne Harjunpää distinguished himself from the impressive pool of candidates, particularly with his exceptional expertise in Ukraine. Having served on the board of a major bank, Janne has gained a unique vantage point into the country’s economy and society and has cultivated an entirely unparalleled network of contacts with Ukrainian decision-makers. Janne’s profound financial and project management skills will also be put to good use in our other markets
Janne Harjunpää has accumulated valuable experience as an expert and in leadership roles at esteemed international financial institutions, such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, as well as a prominent systemic bank in Ukraine. Within the Finnish business community, Harjunpää is known for his recent role as an advisor to the Confederation of Finnish Industries, in matters regarding Ukraine’s reconstruction.
Janne Harjunpää is looking forward to leading the implementation of the new East Office mission:
I am excited and inspired to join this highly professional team at East Office. I eagerly look forward to working actively together with our shareholders’ teams and collaborating with other stakeholders to support the Finnish industries’ commercial activities in Ukraine and our other target countries.
Further details: Ilkka Salonen, Executive Chairman of the Board: Phone +358 50 337 3569