Boardman event shared real-life insights about board work for international executives in Finland
12.02.2024
The Boardman event brought together international executives and board members in Finland to discuss and share insights on accessing board positions in the country. The event aimed to shed light on the challenges, opportunities, and strategies for international professionals aspiring to contribute to Finnish boards.
The event was the first event organized for Boardman Membership, the newest membership form inside Boardman.
In the opening speech, Mirel Leino-Haltia, the Chair of the Board at Boardman, emphasized the untapped potential of international executives in Finland.
Tuomo Haukkovaara, the Chair of the Board at IBM and Boardman’s International Working Group and the host of the event, expressed Boardman’s commitment to addressing this underutilization through Boardman initiatives. He mentioned,
“Boardman has started a new international membership, allowing executives from around the world to network with Finnish company owners, board members, and executives.”
Understanding the landscape about diversity in the Finnish boards
Maria Krajewska-Olkkonen, COO at MySpeaker Rhetorich and a board member, presented valuable survey and data on the current state of board compositions in Finland.
The Nordic region provides a benchmark for understanding the internationalization of board compositions. The 2023 Nordic Spencer Stuart Board Index indicates that 38 % of board members in in the 25 largest listed companies in Norway, Denmark, and Sweden, hail from international backgrounds. Notably, Denmark leads the pack, boasting an impressive 56 % of board members from outside the country.
According to Tesi’s survey, 7 % of the board members of Finnish companies are foreign nationals, but approximately 13 % of new board members are international.
Krajewska-Olkkonen highlighted the importance of having international executives on boards, emphasizing their role in diversifying perspectives and filling expertise gaps. Boardman’s Survey 2024 on International Board Members posits internationalization as a primary driver for employing individuals from abroad, hinting at its strategic importance for Finnish companies.
The survey addressed common concerns when hiring international board members, including cost considerations, organizing board work across time zones, and language barriers.
The discussion emphasized the importance of overcoming these challenges to foster diversity and expertise within boards.
Strategic insights for individuals from André Noël Chaker
André Noël Chaker, Chairman of the Board at MySpeaker, shared his personal journey and provided strategic advice for individuals aspiring to board positions.
A French-Canadian lawyer turned entrepreneur, Chaker’s journey began as a student in Finland, ultimately leading him to a role as a board member. Despite the unconventional path, he expressed no regrets, recognizing the immense value the experience brought to his life.
Chaker stressed the importance of strategic board thinking, emphasizing the question, “What value can I add?” He introduced a simple impactful model: “How can I make that company more positively unique?”
Chaker highlighted the “Big Six” drivers of impactful communication: credibility, authenticity, likability, presence, persuasion, and storytelling. Adapting these to the context is crucial.
Panel discussion highlights from Päivi Jokinen, Keith Silverang, Elina Engman, Marko Kauppi
The panel discussion, moderated by Päivi Jokinen, Founding Partner at Avant Advisors, featured insights from Keith Silverang, Board Member at YIT Plc and Granlund, Elina Engman, EVP at Caverion and Chair of the Board at Gasum, and Marko Kauppi, Founding Partner, Tenendum & SPV Investments.
The discussion covered the benefits of diversity on boards, the strategic needs for different skills and experiences, and the role of networks.
The panelists provided practical advice for those seeking board positions. They highlighted the importance of building a strong network, being proactive, gaining relevant certifications, leveraging existing personal networks, and demonstrating a clear value proposition to boards.
Join Boardman network and learn more about Finnish business world
The Boardman event provided a platform for international executives and board members to engage in meaningful discussions, share experiences, and gain valuable insights into the dynamics of Finnish boards.
As Finland seeks to harness the potential of international talent, events like Boardman play a crucial role in fostering connections and bridging gaps in the recruitment process. The advice and experiences shared at the event serve as valuable guidance for those aspiring to contribute to Finnish boards in the future.
Apply for Boardman Membership here!
TEXT: Julia Ruotsi