Ilona Lundström appointed as Director General of Enterprise and Innovation Department

On 16 June 2016, the Government appointed Ilona Lundström (39), Doctor of Administrative Sciences, as Director General of the Enterprise and Innovation Department at the Ministry of Employment and the Economy for a fixed five-year term 1.8.2016-31.7.2021. The Director General functions as the Head of Department.

- Public administration needs visionary leadership. Creation of new growth requires that the key persons responsible for the industrial and innovation policies have profound understanding of the changes in the global operating environment, an ability to identify the strengths in the Finnish business and industry, and an ability to reform the old structures. Besides her professional competencies, Lundström will also bring along a new look and open-minded attitude to the Ministry, says Jari Gustafsson, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Employment and the Economy.

Lundström's merits include experience of leadership at Tekes (the Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation), scientific educational background, knowledge of the industrial, innovation and research policies and funding, as well as existing national and international networks. She is deemed to be a target-oriented director with a focus on change and performance management.

At the moment, Lundström acts as Executive Director of the Division for Networking Businesses and Research at Tekes and is a member of the executive group. Her division is responsible for funding decisions and customer service for large companies, universities and other research organisations, and public service providers such as municipalities.

Lundström's earlier career at Tekes includes posts as Service Director and Head of Unit (2012-2014) and as Expert (2007-2012). At the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities, Lundström worked in 2002-2007. She graduated as a Master of Administrative Sciences in 2002 and received the degree of Doctor of Administrative Sciences in 2011.

A total of 63 persons applied for the position of Director General of the Enterprise and Innovation Department. The position became vacant in January 2016 as the previous Director General Petri Peltonen was appointed as Permanent State Under-Secretary of the Ministry.

Inquiries:

Jari Gustafsson, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Employment and the Economy, tel. +358 29 504 7400

Heidi Nummela, Director of Human Resources and Administration, Ministry of Employment and the Economy, tel. +358 29 504 7988.