Boardroom Essentials for International Executives in Finland

Event will include discussions on the differences between Finnish and international board work, current themes in Finnish company boards and networking opportunities. It is held on Futurice and online.

The event marks the conclusion of the Boardman’s first Board Buddy mentoring program, that paired 12 international Boardman Members with Finnish board members to discuss board work, leadership and current topics. At the event, we will hear insights from Boardman’s Board Buddy program participants.

Boardman Members have received an invitation to the event via email. More information: karoliina.kuhalampi@boardman.fi

program

3:30 PM Arrival at Futurice (Kansakoulukatu 3, 00100 Helsinki)

4:00 PM Opening words

Board Buddy pair interview: Insights on Finnish vs. International Board Work

• Mia Ahlström interviews Colin Brown and Hanna Sievinen.

Panel discussion: What’s Gaining Attention in Finnish Boardrooms

• Timo Lappi moderates the discussion by panelists Charles Héaulmé, Marjo Miettinen and Tuomas Syrjänen.

5:30 PM Free networking for on-site participants

6.30 PM Dinner for Board Buddy program participants

speakers

Colin Brown, Entrepreneur Coach, Capability Brown

Colin Brown is a serial entrepreneur who has founded and built companies in 17 countries. He coaches teams of late stage private and public companies with a strong bias to AI, Gaming and Infrastructure. Colin has been a World Bank Consultant for the last four years, working on programmes in the Middle East and Africa. He leads the advisory service in Epicenter Helsinki, is a Boardman Member, and has sat on boards in the UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.

 

 

 

Hanna Sievinen, Partner, Boardman

Over the past decade, Hanna Sievinen has served on the boards of various listed companies, both family-owned and state-owned. Currently, she serves as the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors and Chair of the Audit Committee at Taaleri Plc, as well as the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors and Chair of the Audit Committee at Koskisen Plc. Additionally, she is a member of the Board of Directors at Aalto University and a member of the Tender Offer Board of the Securities Market Association and the Listing Committee of NASDAQ Helsinki.

 

 

 

Mia Ahlström, Founder and CEO of BCC Ahlström and Belongio

Mia Ahlström has built an extensive and diverse career as a business leader with respected brands, both domestically and internationally. She has held various C-suite roles, including Executive Vice President positions at IKEA in the U.S. and Finland. She possesses board experience across a wide range of industries and markets. She has served on the boards of notable companies such as IKEA, Noho Partners and Finnish Design Shop.As an entrepreneur, Mia now consults companies on driving growth, navigating complex global business environments, and leveraging ESG principles as competitive advantages. As an executive coach she is dedicated to coaching corporate leaders in identifying key success factors and excelling in both personal and business leadership.

 

Charles Héaulmé, President & CEO, Huhtamäki Oyj & Chair of the Board, Suominen Oyj

Charles Héaulmé serves as President & CEO of Huhtamäki since 2019. This year, he joined the board of directors in a Finnish company, and was elected Chairman of the Board at Suominen in April 2024. Born in France, Charles has lived half of his life outside of his country and worked in various leadership roles across Europe, Africa, North and South America.

 

 

 

Marjo Miettinen, Partner, Boardman

Marjo Miettinen is the Chair of Ensto Oy’s, Member of the Boards of Ensto Invest Oy and EM Group Oy, and one of the owners of these family companies. In addition, she holds various positions of trust. She is the Chair of TT-säätiö, a Board Member of Technology Academy Finland (TAF), Finnish Technology Industries, the Finnish Business Council (EVA), Economic Research (ETLA) and and European Family Business.

 

 

 

Tuomas Syrjänen, Co-Founder, Futurice

Tuomas Syrjänen is a co-founder, former CEO and currently chairperson of Futurice and is now also heading Futurice’s data & AI powered knowledge work transformation program that is transforming how Futurice and Futurice’s clients operate. He also helped shape Futurice’s non hierarchical culture of trust, transparency, freedom and responsibility resulting in Best Place to Work in Europe award ‘12 & ‘13. Outside Futurice, Tuomas is a board member at publicly listed companies Vaisala, WithSecure and Taaleri. In addition, Tuomas is the chairman of Flow Technologies – a prop tech company transforming the industry from custom craft to tech enabled industrial assembly paradigm and board member of Vastuu Group.

 

Timo Lappi, Partner, Boardman

Timo Lappi is a growth entrepreneur and business-focused lawyer who began his career as a lawyer. He is currently one of the main owners and the Chairman of the Board at Heltti and Fondia. Additionally, he chairs the boards of Witted Megacorp Oyj, Hellon Oy, Linio Biotech Oy and Nordic Business Group Oy. Timo frequently speaks on topics such as growth entrepreneurship, strategy, new business models, modern board practices, leadership and legal matters.

 

 

 

Board buddy program

The Board Buddy program was launched on March 7th, 2024, and it connects 12 internationals and 12 Finnish board members to dicuss on Finnish board work and leadership. Read more about the opening event here.