Timo Helosuo

Professional history and board experience

MSc (Econ) Timo Helosuo has worked for 30 years in the areas of strategic renewal, innovation, and internationalisation. He is currently the CEO of Kolster Oy Ab, a law firm that serves both Finnish and international clients in the fields of IPR strategies, patenting, and brand protection.

Before his current role, Timo held various leadership positions at Nokia for over 12 years, working in distribution channel marketing, product development, and executive development. A three-year assignment in the USA gave him hands-on experience in bringing business and products to the U.S. market. His management consulting career at Andersen Consulting and Accenture provided him with an analytical and systematic approach to understanding industry logic and implementing strategies and transformation initiatives.

Timo serves on the boards of several growth companies and is active in trade associations related to internationalisation. He serves as the Chairman of the Board at HY+ (2025–), Bellylabs Oy (2020–), Cardu Global Oy (2020–2023), and as Executive Director of Kolster UK Ltd (2021–) and Kolster China Ltd (2018–). He also serves as an advisors for growth companies in issues concerning scaling and business model transformations.

Timo has specialized expertise in operating in the U.S. and Chinese markets. Since 2020, he has been Chairman of the Finland-China Trade Association, and since 2021, he has served as Vice President of the Europe-China Business Association (EUCBA). He is also the Vice Chairman of the Board of the Finnish-British Trade Association.

Timo works with family businesses and the Finnish growth network, among others. In his board roles, he has especially focused on the relationship between the board of directors and executive management across listed companies, privately held firms, and startups. A strong positive attitude and a sense of humor are often key in resolving difficult situations.

Timo has expanded his expertise through several executive programs at business schools such as IMD, INSEAD, Ashridge Business School, and Columbia University, and naturally also through Boardman.

Activities in Boardman

Member of the Boardman Grow network

Expertise

• Strategies and transformation processes in growth companies
• Innovations and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
• Growing to international markets
• Business operations in the United States and China
• Post-merger integration
• Scaling of business concepts
• Influencing through networks
• Leading multicultural and diverse teams

Contact information

timo.helosuo@boardman.fi