On 27 April 2026, the annual general meeting of VTT appointed two new members to the VTT Board. Kimmo Alkio, an experienced CEO in publicly listed companies and Chair of the Board at Bluefors Oy, starts as the Chair of the VTT Board. Kristian Tornivaara, Managing Director at Saab Finland Oy, will start as a new member.
Kimmo Alkio has led several technology companies in his career. He served as CEO of Tietoevry for the period 2020–2025, as CEO of Tieto Corporation 2011–2019, and as CEO of F-Secure 2006–2011. Since 2021, he has chaired the Bluefors Board.
Alkio has extensive experience in global business in both large multinational corporations and small growth enterprises operating in fast-cycle environments. His work has focused on increasing shareholder returns, strategic renewal and building a strong, high-performance leadership culture. Alkio holds a BBA degree from Texas A&M University and Executive MBA degree from Helsinki University of Technology (now Aalto University).
"I'm inspired by the meaningfulness of VTT's role in society. VTT is strongly involved in the broad global field of innovation, influencing the growth, success and competitiveness of Finland as a whole. VTT has world-class expertise in globally significant technology sectors as well as top level experts from a wide range of nationalities. Attracting international talents and nurturing new ones will also be a key priority in the future, as will VTT's role in creating new start-ups and building a growth-oriented ecosystem. I look forward to working together as Chair of the Board," says Kimmo Alkio.
New board member, Kristian Tornivaara has served as CEO of Surma Ltd in 2007–2023 and as Chief Business Officer, Defence and Aerospace at DA-Group in 2018–2023. He started working as Managing Director at Saab Finland Oy in 2024.
The remaining members of the VTT Board include President Keijo Hämäläinen (University of Tampere), Migration Director Sonja Hämäläinen (Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment), Vice President, Renewable Hydrogen Outi Ervasti (Neste), financial management professional Kaarina Muurinen and Chief Technology Officer Tomio Pihkala (Kone).
Pekka Tiitinen, who has served as Chair of the VTT Board from 2020, and Erno Muuranto, Managing Director and Product Development Director (GE Healthcare Finland Oy and GE Healthcare) are stepping down from the board. VTT extends sincere thanks to Tiitinen and Muuranto for their contributions to VTT.
The annual general meeting of VTT appoints the VTT Board, whose tasks include confirming the company's strategy, overseeing its implementation and being responsible for the profitability and proper organisation of VTT operations. VTT is a Finnish, wholly state-owned limited liability company, operating under the ownership steering of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. As an independent and impartial research organisation, VTT's task is to promote the wide-ranging utilisation and commercialisation of research and technology in industry, commerce and society.
Composition of VTT Board as of 27 April 2026
- Chair Kimmo Alkio
- Vice-Chair Sonja Hämäläinen, Migration Director, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
- Keijo Hämäläinen, President, University of Tampere
- Outi Ervasti, Vice President, Renewable Hydrogen, Neste
- Kaarina Muurinen, financial management professional
- Tomio Pihkala, Chief Technology Officer, Kone
- Kristian Tornivaara, Managing Director, Saab Finland
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