Board of Directors

The term of office of each Board member, in accordance with the Articles of Association, is one (1) year, so that the term begins at the close of the General Meeting electing the member and expires at the close of the next Annual General Meeting.

 

Esa Kiiskinen, b. 1963, Kauppaneuvos (an honorary title granted by the President of the Republic of Finland), Business College Graduate.

Chair, Chair of the Remuneration Committee
Independence: He is considered not to be independent of the Company (entity controlled by him has a chain agreement with a Kesko Group company) but to be independent of its significant shareholders.

Domicile:
 Helsinki, Finland.
Principal occupation: Food retailer.
Main employment history: K-food retailer since 1990.
Main positions of trust: Saija ja Esa Kiiskinen Oy: Chair of the Board 1995-.

Board member since: 30 March 2009.

Kesko shares held:
31 December 2022: 459,200 A shares held by him and entities controlled by him and 9,380 B shares held by him. 
31 December 2023: 459,910 A shares held by him and entities controlled by him and 11,121 B shares held by him and entities controlled by him.

 

Peter Fagernäs, b. 1952, Master of Laws.

Deputy Chair, Deputy Chair of the Remuneration Committee
Independence: He is considered to be independent of the Company and of its significant shareholders.

Domicile: Helsinki, Finland.
Principal occupation: Chairman of the Board
Main employment history: Hermitage & Co Oy: Chairman of the Board 2003-2023, Pohjola Group Plc: Chairman of the Board 2001–2003, Conventum Ltd: CEO 1996-1999 and Chairman of the Board 1999-2002, Merita Bank Ltd: member of management board 1995-1996, Prospectus Ltd: CEO 1993-1995, Kansallis-Osake-Pankki: 1977-1993. 
Main positions of trust: Oy Hermitage Ab: Chairman of the Board 2003–, Taaleri Plc: Chairman of the Board 2007-2020, Amanda Capital Plc: member of the Board 2007–2011, Winpak Ltd: member of the Board 2006–2011, Fortum Corporation: Chairman of the Board 2004-2009.

Board member since: 11 April 2018.

Kesko shares held: 
31 December 2022: 4,000 A shares and 13,805 B shares held by him.
31 December 2023: 4,000 A shares and 14,709 B shares held by him.

 

Jannica Fagerholm, b. 1961, Master of Science (Economics).

Chair of the Audit Committee
Independence: She is considered to be independent of the Company and of its significant shareholders.

Domicile: Helsinki, Finland.
Principal occupation: Managing Director.
Main employment history: Signe and Ane Gyllenberg Foundation: Managing Director 2010-; SEB Gyllenberg Private Bank: Managing Director 1999-2010; Handelsbanken Liv Finland: Country Director 1998-1999.
Main positions of trust: Mandatum plc: Vice Chair of the Board 2023-; Sampo plc: member of the Board 2013-; Solidium Oy, member of the Board 2019-, Kelonia Ab, member of the Board 2010-; Veritas Pension Insurance, member of the Supervisory Board 2010-; The Society of Swedish Literature in Finland, member of the Board 2015-, member of the Financial Board 2001-2015; Eira Hospital Ltd: member of the Board 2010-; Föreningen Stiftelser och Fonder (Säätiöt ja rahastot ry): member of the Board 2015-2021, Chair of the Board 2022-2023, Hanken School of Economics: member of the Board 2008-2022, Chair of the Board 2019-2021; Teleste Corporation: member of the Board 2013-2020; Aktia Abp: member of the Board 2012-2013; Partiosäätiö foundation: member of the Board 1997-2013. 

Board member since: 4 April 2016.

Kesko shares held:
31 December 2022: 9,805 B shares held by her.
31 December 2023: 10,709 B shares held by her.

Kesko_Pauli_Jaakola_440x300.png

Pauli Jaakola, b. 1973, retailer, EMBA

Independence: Jaakola is considered not to be independent of the company (entity controlled by him has a chain agreement with a Kesko Group company) and not independent of its significant shareholders (Chair of the Board of a significant Company shareholder, the K-Retailers’ Association).

Domicile: Kirkkonummi, Finland
Principal occupation: Food retailer, P. Jaakola Oy
Main employment history: K-food retailer since 2001
Main positions of trust: K-Retailers’ Association: Chair of the Board 2024-, Board member 2019-, 2012-2016; K-ruokakauppiasyhdistys ry: Board Chair 2019-2024, Deputy chair 2012-2016, member 2011-2012, 2016-2018; Finnish Grocery Trade Association: Board member 2019-; Vähittäiskaupan tilipalvelu VTP Oy: Board member 2019-; Foundation for Vocational Training in the Retail Trade: Chair of the Board 2024-, Board member 2023-; K-instituutti Oy: Board member 2012-2016.

Board member since: 26 March 2024.

Kesko shares held:
25 January 2024: 170,000 A shares held by entities controlled by him and 2,500 B shares held by him.

 

Piia Karhu, b. 1976, Doctor, Business Administration. 

Member of the Audit Committee
Independence: She is considered to be independent of the Company and of its significant shareholders.

Domicile: Kauniainen, Finland.
Principal occupation: President.
Main employment history: Metso: President, Minerals 2024-, President, Metals 2022-2024, SVP Business Development 2020-2022; Finnair Plc: Senior Vice President, Customer Experience and member of the Executive Board 2016-2020. Various leadership positions at Finnair Plc since 2013. Previously worked as a management consultant for 12 years at Ernst & Young and Capgemini.
Main positions of trust: -

Board member since: 11 April 2018.

Kesko shares held:
31 December 2022: 4,364 B shares held by her.
31 December 2023: 5,046  B shares held by her.

Jussi Perälä, b. 1970, retailer, Business College Graduate

Independence: He is considered not to be independent of the Company (entity controlled by Perälä has a chain agreement with a Kesko Group company), but to be independent of its significant shareholders.

Domicile: Helsinki, Finland
Principal occupation: Retailer, J & M Perälä Oy
Main employment history: Retailer: K-Rauta Oulunkylä 2014- and K-Rauta Procenter Pasila 2020-, K-Rauta Palokka Jyväskylä 2010-2014, Rautia-maatalous Vasarakatu Jyväskylä 2003-2010, K-Rauta Kangasniemi 1998-2008, K-Rauta Laukaa 1997-2013, Rautia Joutsa 1997-2012, K-Rauta Toivakka 1997-2005.
Main positions of trust: K-Retailers' Association: Vice Chairman of the Board 2016-2021, Board member 2009-2014, K-rautakauppiasyhdistys: Board member 2008, Vice Chairman of the Board 2009-2014, Vähittäiskaupan Takaus Oy: Board member 2018-2021, Vähittäiskaupan Tilipalvelu Oy: Chair of the Board 2020-2021, Board member 2017-2020, Finnish Hardware Association: Board member 2009-2011 and 2016-2021, Rautia Chain Board: Chairman 2008, member 2001-2007, K-Rauta planning group: 2011-2014. 

Board member since: 12 April 2021 

Kesko shares held: 
31 December 2022: 133,000 A shares and 96,751 B shares held by him and entities controlled by him.
31 December 2023: 133,000 A shares and 97,433 B shares held by him and entities controlled by him. 

Timo Ritakallio, born 1962, Doctor of Science (Technology), Master´s degree in law (LL.M.), MBA. 

Deputy Chair of the Audit Committee, Member of the Remuneration Committee
Independence: He is considered to be independent of the Company and of its significant shareholders.

Residence: Helsinki, Finland. 
Main occupation: President and Group Chief Executive Officer.
Career: OP Financial Group: President and Group Chief Executive Officer 2018-, Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance Company: President and CEO 2015-2018, Deputy Chief Executive Officer 2008-2014, Pohjola Bank Group: Deputy Executive Officer and Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee 2006-2008, OKO Bank: Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Member of the Executive Board 2001-2005, OKO Bank: Executive Vice President and Member of the Executive Board 1997-2001, Opstock Securities Ltd: Managing Director 1993-1997, Uudenkaupungin Seudun Osuuspankki: Managing Director 1991-1993.
Key positions of trust: Finance Finland, FFI: Chairman of the Board of Directors 2020-2021, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors 2022-, Member of the Board of Directors 2017-, Confederation of Finnish Industries EK: Member of the Board of Directors 2020-2021, Finnish Chamber of Commerce: Member of the Board of Directors 2019-, Chairman of the Board 2022-, OP Corporate Bank plc: Chairman of the Board of Directors 2018-, Pohjola Insurance Ltd: Chairman of the Board of Directors 2018-, The Finnish Olympic Committee: Chairman of the Board of Directors 2016-2020, Outotec Oyj: Member of the Board of Directors 2011-2019, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors 2013-2019, Technopolis Oyj: Member of the Board of Directors 2008-2015, Nasdaq OMX Nordic Inc: Member of the Board of Directors 2003-2011, SSH Communication Security Oyj: Member of the Board of Directors 2003-2009.

Board member since: 12 April 2021

Kesko shares held
31 December 2022: 2,000 A shares and 1,107 B shares held by him.
31 December 2023: 2,000 A shares and 1,789 B shares held by him.

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