The Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is generally responsible for the company’s and the Group’s governance and for ensuring the appropriate organisation of the Company’s operations. The Board of Directors directs and supervises the company’s senior management, appoints and dismisses the CEO and approves significant decisions concerning the company’s strategy, investments, organisation, the senior management’s remuneration system and financing. The CEO is responsible for the implementation of the company’s strategy and for the day-to-day operations of the company in accordance with the instructions and orders given by the Board of Directors.
According to the Articles of Association, Solwers’ Board of Directors has 1–8 members, whose term expires at the end of the next Annual General Meeting following their election.
Independence
At its meeting of 15 June 2021, the company’s Board of Directors has carried out the independence assessment of the Board members relating to the company in accordance with Recommendation 10 of the Finnish Corporate Governance Code.
With the exception of Leif Sebbas, all Board members – Hanna-Maria Heikkinen, John Lindahl, Mari Pantsar and Emma Papakosta – are independent of the company and its significant shareholders.
Leif Sebbas
Chairman of the Board
Board Member and Chairman of the Board since 2017
Master of Science in Technology, Helsinki University of Technology
Key positions of responsibility
Leif Sebbas is the Chairman of the Boards of Finnmap Infra Oy and PP-Laatta Oy. In addition, he has been a member of the Board of Directors in more than 40 companies.
Work experience
He has previously served as the CEO of Sweco India Pvt. Ltd (2005–2016), as Senior Advisor at Sweco Finland Oy (2004–2016), in management positions at Finnmap Consulting Oy (2012–2014) and as the CEO of Aaro Kohonen Oy (2007–2012).
Hanna-Maria Heikkinen
Board Member since 2019
Master of Science in Economics and Business Administration, Turku School of Economics
Key positions of responsibility
Hanna-Maria Heikkinen is a member of the Board of Directors of Norrhydro Group Plc as well as a member of the Board of Directors of The Mortgage Society of Finland Group. She has previously been a member of the Board of Directors and Chair of the Audit Committee of Nordea Mortgage Bank Plc. (2016-2022), a member of the Board and the Audit Committee of Helen Ltd (2015–2019) and the Chair of the Board of the Finnish Investor Relations Society (she was a member of the Board in 2013–2016, serving as the Chair in 2015–2016).
Work experience
Heikkinen works as Wärtsilä’s Vice President, Investor Relations. She has previously worked as the Vice President responsible for Investor Relations for Cargotec Corporation (2016–2021), Valmet Corporation (2013–2016) and YIT (2010–2013). She has also worked at Nordea Markets as an Equity Analyst (2007–2010).
John Lindahl
Board Member since 2019
Master of Science in Technology, Helsinki University of Technology
MBA, University of Jyväskylä
Key positions of responsibility
John Lindahl is the Chairman of the Board of Fintoil Oy and a member of the Boards of the Gösta Serlachius Fine Arts Foundation, Mondi Powerflute Oy and Mondi Dynäs Ab.
Work experience
Lindahl has previously worked as Mondi Group’s Technical Director and member of the Management Team (2011–2019), Pöyry Oyj’s Director responsible for sales and marketing (2000–2011) and UPM-Kymmene Corporation’s Technology Director (1992–2000).
Mari Pantsar
Board Member since 2019
Doctor of Philosophy in Analytical Chemistry, University of Helsinki
Key positions of responsibility
Mari Pantsar serves as a member of the Board of Directors at International Institute for Sustainable Development, the Lahden teollisuusseura Foundation, the capital region’s Smart & Clean Foundation and the Sustainable Lahti Foundation. She has previously been a member of the Board of Directors at Ahlström Capital Cleantech Management Ky (2010–2019) and Mediatalo ESA Oy (2014–2016). She has also held several positions of responsibility and been a member of the Board of Directors of several cleantech companies.
Work experience
Pantsar has worked as a Director of Sustainability Solutions at Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra in 2014-2022. Her previous work experience includes working as the Strategic Director of the Finnish Government’s Cleantech Business Programme (2012–2013), the Director of the Finnish Cleantech Cluster (2007–2012) and the Manager of Environmental Affairs at UPM-Kymmene Corporation (2000–2007).
Emma Papakosta
Board Member since 2019
University of Applied Sciences degree, Stockholms Internationella Handelsskola
Key positions of responsibility
Emma Papakosta is a member of Wirba Ab’s Board of Directors.
Work experience
Emma Papakosta has worked as NCC Group’s Head of Purchasing Systems since 2016. Before taking up her current position, Papakosta worked at NCC Group in various project development and purchasing-related roles (2014–2016). She has also worked as a Sales and Project Manager at Myyntivirta Printcenter Ab (2011–2013).
