Board of Directors
Under the Company’s Articles of Association, the Board of Directors consists of five to ten members elected at the Annual General Meeting for a term ending at the following AGM. Nine members were elected to the Board for a new term on 28 March 2023. Jari Rosendal served on Neste’s Board of Directors until 31 July 2023.
The shareholdings of the Members of the Board in Neste Corporation on 31.12.2022 include own holdings and controlled entities.
Matti Kähkönen
(born in 1956)
M.Sc. (Engineering)
Chair of the Board since 2018
Member of the Board since 2017
Independent member
Senior Advisor, Metso Corporation 2017–2019. President and CEO, Metso Corporation 2011– 2017. Executive Vice President and Deputy to the CEO, Metso Corporation 2010–2011. President, Mining and Construction Technology, Metso Corporation 2008–2011. President, Metso Minerals 2006–2008. President, Metso Automation, 2001–2006. President, Metso Automation, Field Systems Division, 1999– 2001. Prior to 1999, various managerial and development positions in Neles-Jamesbury and Rauma-Repola. Chair of the Board of Directors at Kemira, 3/2022–. Vice Chair of the Board of Directors at Kemira 2021–3/2022. Chair of the Board of Directors at the Finnish Fair Corporation 2020–. Chair of Neste’s Personnel and Remuneration Committee.
M.Sc. (Engineering)
Chair of the Board since 2018
Member of the Board since 2017
Independent member
Senior Advisor, Metso Corporation 2017–2019. President and CEO, Metso Corporation 2011– 2017. Executive Vice President and Deputy to the CEO, Metso Corporation 2010–2011. President, Mining and Construction Technology, Metso Corporation 2008–2011. President, Metso Minerals 2006–2008. President, Metso Automation, 2001–2006. President, Metso Automation, Field Systems Division, 1999– 2001. Prior to 1999, various managerial and development positions in Neles-Jamesbury and Rauma-Repola. Chair of the Board of Directors at Kemira, 3/2022–. Vice Chair of the Board of Directors at Kemira 2021–3/2022. Chair of the Board of Directors at the Finnish Fair Corporation 2020–. Chair of Neste’s Personnel and Remuneration Committee.
John Abbott
(born in 1960)
B.Sc. First Class Honours, Chemical Engineering, Birmingham University, UK
Member of the Board since 2021
Independent member
Downstream Director and a Member of the Executive Committee of Royal Dutch Shell plc, 2013–2019. Executive Vice President of Global Manufacturing at Shell, 2012–2013. Executive Vice President of Shell’s Upstream Americas Heavy Oil business, based in Calgary, Canada, 2008–2012. Vice President Manufacturing (Refining and Chemicals) Excellence and Support at Shell based in Houston, USA, 2006–2008. Various positions at Shell in the UK, Singapore, Thailand, the Netherlands, Canada, and the USA, predominantly in the areas of Global Manufacturing (Refining and Chemicals) as well as Supply, Trading and Distribution, 1981–2006. (In 1994, he was also seconded to the British Government for a short assignment). Non Executive Director of the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) Futures Europe 2021–. Advisor and participant at Mobility Impact Partners (MIP) 2020–. Mentor in the FTSE 100 cross-company mentoring foundation 2013–. Member of Neste’s Audit Committee.
B.Sc. First Class Honours, Chemical Engineering, Birmingham University, UK
Member of the Board since 2021
Independent member
Downstream Director and a Member of the Executive Committee of Royal Dutch Shell plc, 2013–2019. Executive Vice President of Global Manufacturing at Shell, 2012–2013. Executive Vice President of Shell’s Upstream Americas Heavy Oil business, based in Calgary, Canada, 2008–2012. Vice President Manufacturing (Refining and Chemicals) Excellence and Support at Shell based in Houston, USA, 2006–2008. Various positions at Shell in the UK, Singapore, Thailand, the Netherlands, Canada, and the USA, predominantly in the areas of Global Manufacturing (Refining and Chemicals) as well as Supply, Trading and Distribution, 1981–2006. (In 1994, he was also seconded to the British Government for a short assignment). Non Executive Director of the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) Futures Europe 2021–. Advisor and participant at Mobility Impact Partners (MIP) 2020–. Mentor in the FTSE 100 cross-company mentoring foundation 2013–. Member of Neste’s Audit Committee.
Nick Elmslie
(born in 1957)
B.Sc. (Chemistry)
Member of the Board since 2020
Independent member
Chief Executive, BP Global Petrochemicals based in Shanghai 2011–2015. Controller, Head of Finance Function, BP Downstream 2006–2011. Various directorial positions at BP plc., including Chief Executive, Acetyls Business and Business Unit Leader, Head of Chemicals Strategy and CFO, Polymers & Olefins 1992–2006. Various positions at BP plc 1978–1992. Member of the Board and Investor at 3fbio Ltd 2017–. Member of the Supervisory Board of OTI Greentech AG 2017–. Member of the Board of Fosroc Group Holdings Limited 2009–. Chair of i-Keg Ltd 2021–. Member of Neste’s Personnel and Remuneration Committee.
B.Sc. (Chemistry)
Member of the Board since 2020
Independent member
Chief Executive, BP Global Petrochemicals based in Shanghai 2011–2015. Controller, Head of Finance Function, BP Downstream 2006–2011. Various directorial positions at BP plc., including Chief Executive, Acetyls Business and Business Unit Leader, Head of Chemicals Strategy and CFO, Polymers & Olefins 1992–2006. Various positions at BP plc 1978–1992. Member of the Board and Investor at 3fbio Ltd 2017–. Member of the Supervisory Board of OTI Greentech AG 2017–. Member of the Board of Fosroc Group Holdings Limited 2009–. Chair of i-Keg Ltd 2021–. Member of Neste’s Personnel and Remuneration Committee.
Just Jansz
(born in 1957)
Ph.D. (Chemical Metallurgy), M.Sc. (Mineral Engineering)
Member of the Board since 2022
Independent member
Independent board member and advisor 2011–. Managing Director of Expertise Beyond Borders 2011–. President Technology Business, Basell / LyondellBasell 2004–2010. Senior Vice President, Advanced Polyolefins, Basell 2001–2004. Various managerial positions at Shell affiliate companies 1989–2000. Member of the Board at Circular Plastics NL (Dutch National Growth Fund) 2022–. Member of Neste’s Audit Committee.
Ph.D. (Chemical Metallurgy), M.Sc. (Mineral Engineering)
Member of the Board since 2022
Independent member
Independent board member and advisor 2011–. Managing Director of Expertise Beyond Borders 2011–. President Technology Business, Basell / LyondellBasell 2004–2010. Senior Vice President, Advanced Polyolefins, Basell 2001–2004. Various managerial positions at Shell affiliate companies 1989–2000. Member of the Board at Circular Plastics NL (Dutch National Growth Fund) 2022–. Member of Neste’s Audit Committee.
Heikki Malinen
(born in 1962)
M.Sc. (Econ.), MBA (Harvard)
Member of the Board since 2023
Independent member
President and CEO, Outokumpu Oyj 2020–. President and CEO, Posti Group Corporation 2012–2019. President and CEO, Pöyry PLC 2008–2012. Executive Vice President, Strategy, member of the Executive Team, UPM-Kymmene Corporation 2006–2008. President, UPM North America 2004–2005. President of Sales, UPM North America 2002–2003. Managing Partner, Jaakko Pöyry Consulting, New York, USA 2000–2001. Several directorial and managerial roles at ie. McKinsey & Co and UPM 1986–1999. Vice Chair, EK, Confederation of Finnish Industries, 2023–. Vice Chair, Technology Finland, 2023–. Member of Neste’s Personnel and Remuneration Committee.
M.Sc. (Econ.), MBA (Harvard)
Member of the Board since 2023
Independent member
President and CEO, Outokumpu Oyj 2020–. President and CEO, Posti Group Corporation 2012–2019. President and CEO, Pöyry PLC 2008–2012. Executive Vice President, Strategy, member of the Executive Team, UPM-Kymmene Corporation 2006–2008. President, UPM North America 2004–2005. President of Sales, UPM North America 2002–2003. Managing Partner, Jaakko Pöyry Consulting, New York, USA 2000–2001. Several directorial and managerial roles at ie. McKinsey & Co and UPM 1986–1999. Vice Chair, EK, Confederation of Finnish Industries, 2023–. Vice Chair, Technology Finland, 2023–. Member of Neste’s Personnel and Remuneration Committee.
Eeva Sipilä
(born in 1973)
M.Sc. (Econ.), CEFA
Vice Chair of the Board since 2023
Member of the Board since 2022
Independent member
Chief Financial Officer, Deputy to CEO, Metso Corporation 2016– , (Metso Outotec Corporation 2020–2023). Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Cargotec Corporation 2008–2016. Senior Vice President, Communications and Investor Relations, , Cargotec Corporation 2005– 2008. Various positions at Metso Corporation, Mandatum Stockbrokers part of Sampo Group and Arkwright AB 1997–2005. Supervisory Board Member, Varma, 2021–. Board Member, Outokumpu Corporation, 2017–2022, Vice Chair of Board 2020–2022, Chair of Audit Committee 2019–2022. Chair of Neste’s Audit Committee.
M.Sc. (Econ.), CEFA
Vice Chair of the Board since 2023
Member of the Board since 2022
Independent member
Chief Financial Officer, Deputy to CEO, Metso Corporation 2016– , (Metso Outotec Corporation 2020–2023). Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Cargotec Corporation 2008–2016. Senior Vice President, Communications and Investor Relations, , Cargotec Corporation 2005– 2008. Various positions at Metso Corporation, Mandatum Stockbrokers part of Sampo Group and Arkwright AB 1997–2005. Supervisory Board Member, Varma, 2021–. Board Member, Outokumpu Corporation, 2017–2022, Vice Chair of Board 2020–2022, Chair of Audit Committee 2019–2022. Chair of Neste’s Audit Committee.
Johanna Söderström
(born in 1971)
M.Sc. (Econ.)
Member of the Board since 2020
Independent member
Executive Vice President, Chief People Officer at Tyson Foods Inc. 2020–. Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer at the Dow Chemical Company 2014–2019. Vice President, Center of Expertise Human Resources at the Dow Chemical Company 2012–2014. Various directorial HR positions at Dow Chemical Company, Dow Europe GmbH and Dow Chemical Handels- und Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH 2007– 2012. Head of Global Compensation & Benefits at Huhtamäki Oyj 2006–2007. Various specialist and managerial positions at Dow Europe GmbH, Dow Chemical Handels- und Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH and Dow Suomi Oy 1999–2006. Prior to 1999, various specialist positions at Oy L M Ericsson Ab. Member of Neste’s Personnel and Remuneration Committee.
M.Sc. (Econ.)
Member of the Board since 2020
Independent member
Executive Vice President, Chief People Officer at Tyson Foods Inc. 2020–. Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer at the Dow Chemical Company 2014–2019. Vice President, Center of Expertise Human Resources at the Dow Chemical Company 2012–2014. Various directorial HR positions at Dow Chemical Company, Dow Europe GmbH and Dow Chemical Handels- und Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH 2007– 2012. Head of Global Compensation & Benefits at Huhtamäki Oyj 2006–2007. Various specialist and managerial positions at Dow Europe GmbH, Dow Chemical Handels- und Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH and Dow Suomi Oy 1999–2006. Prior to 1999, various specialist positions at Oy L M Ericsson Ab. Member of Neste’s Personnel and Remuneration Committee.
Kimmo Viertola
(born in 1961)
M.Sc. (Econ.)
Member of the Board since 2023
Non-independent member of the company’s significant shareholder (the State of Finland)
Director General, Finnish Ownership Steering Department in the Prime Minister’s Office 10/2018–. Senior Ministerial Adviser (leave of absence), Finnish Ownership Steering Department in the Prime Minister’s Office 1–10/2018. Director, Finnish Industry Investment Ltd (FII) 1998–2017. Director, Price Waterhouse 1995–1998. Several managerial and analyst roles, Industrialisation Fund of Finland, FennoScandia Bank and Skopbank Group 1987–1994. Chair of the Nomination Committee, Finnair, 2023–. Chair of the Nomination Committee, Neste, 2018–2022. Member of the Nomination Committee, SSAB, 2021–. Board member and member of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, Fortum, 2022–2023. Chair of the Nomination Committee, Fortum, 2019–2022. Deputy Chair of the Bureau, OECD Working Party on State Ownership and Privatisation Practices 2020–. Member of Neste’s Audit Committee.
M.Sc. (Econ.)
Member of the Board since 2023
Non-independent member of the company’s significant shareholder (the State of Finland)
Director General, Finnish Ownership Steering Department in the Prime Minister’s Office 10/2018–. Senior Ministerial Adviser (leave of absence), Finnish Ownership Steering Department in the Prime Minister’s Office 1–10/2018. Director, Finnish Industry Investment Ltd (FII) 1998–2017. Director, Price Waterhouse 1995–1998. Several managerial and analyst roles, Industrialisation Fund of Finland, FennoScandia Bank and Skopbank Group 1987–1994. Chair of the Nomination Committee, Finnair, 2023–. Chair of the Nomination Committee, Neste, 2018–2022. Member of the Nomination Committee, SSAB, 2021–. Board member and member of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, Fortum, 2022–2023. Chair of the Nomination Committee, Fortum, 2019–2022. Deputy Chair of the Bureau, OECD Working Party on State Ownership and Privatisation Practices 2020–. Member of Neste’s Audit Committee.