Pertti Korhonen to chair Tekes Board
On 28 June 2017, the government appointed a new Board for Tekes, the Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation, for the following three years. Tekes Board will be chaired by Pertti Korhonen, a corporate governance professional, while Petri Peltonen, Under-Secretary of State from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, will serve as its Vice Chairman.
Korhonen has extensive experience in managing global export businesses. He has previously held the position of CEO in Outotec Oyj and Elektrobit Oyj as well as acted in different responsible roles in Nokia Oyj. He is currently a board member in several listed and startup companies.
The following members were appointed to Tekes Board by the government: partner Timo Ahopelto (Lifeline Ventures Oy), Executive Vice President Katja Keitaanniemi (Finnvera Oyj), Director General Leena Vestala (Pirkanmaa Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment), Chairwoman of the Board Miia Porkkala (AhoGroup Oy) as well as Under-Secretary of State Markku Keinänen (Ministry for Foreign Affairs).
On 30 May 2017, the general meeting of Finpro had appointed the same persons to serve as members of its Board of Directors. Working together, the Boards of Tekes and Finpro will jointly manage the process in which the two organisations will merge into Business Finland. The Business Finland reform is progressing on schedule, and the new organisation is to be launched on 1 January 2018. This reform will also clarify the Team Finland operating model and build a stronger innovation and internationalisation actor to serve companies.
The Board’s term of office will be 1 July 2017–30 June 2020.
Further information:
Director-General Ilona Lundström, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 29 504 7186
Ministerial Adviser Anne Rothovius, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 29 50 63532