FINLAND – The Board of Directors of Stora Enso has appointed Hans Sohlström as the new President and CEO of Stora Enso, effective immediately.
Sohlström is currently a member of Stora Enso’s Board of Directors from which position he is stepping down. Stora Enso’s Board of Directors will now have eight members.
On his appointment, Sohlström said: “I would like to thank the Board of Directors for its confidence in me. Stora Enso is a company whose purpose, values and heritage I strongly support and believe in. It has strong foundations and many growth opportunities.
“I look forward to working together with my new colleagues in leading our profit turn-around, increasing shareholder value and delivering on our commitment as the renewable materials company.”
He brings along over 30 years of experience in business leadership, including over 10 years as CEO predominantly in the forest and renewable materials industries.
Most recently he led Ahlstrom Corporation, Ahlström Capital and Rettig Group. Before that, for over 20 years, he held several leadership positions at UPM-Kymmene Corporation, such as Mill Director, Business Unit Vice President and was a member of the Group Executive Team responsible for Marketing, New Businesses and Biofuels, and Corporate Relations and Development.
Commenting on his appointment, Kari Jordan, Chair of the Board of Directors of Stora Enso said: “Hans Sohlström has shown strong business acumen and leadership skills in his previous positions.
“He has extensive experience in the forest industry and has gained strong insight into Stora Enso after serving more than two years on its Board of Directors.
‘The Board of Directors is confident that Hans Sohlström is the right person to lead Stora Enso through the current challenging market environment towards achieving the long-term financial goals.”
Sohlström replaces Annica Bresky who leaves her position to pursue new challenges outside of Stora Enso.
Kari Jordan, on behalf of the Board of Directors, thanked Bresky for her leadership and achievements during the past four years.
“Under her leadership, Stora Enso has made significant structural changes to strengthen its long-term competitiveness in line with its strategy. We wish her all the best for her future endeavours,” added the Chair.
PPG announces new technical directors for packaging & coatings
In a similar development, PPG Packaging Coatings, a division of PPG Industries, has appointed two technical directors in Europe and the Americas.
The company has named Claudia Knotts as the technical director of its Americas, Packaging Coatings business, and Elzen Kurpejovic as the technical director of its EMEA Packaging Coatings business.
They will work on PPG’s overall technical strategy for packaging coatings to ensure regulatory compliance and continued research and advancement, the firm said in a statement.
Knotts has worked at PPG for more than 20 years, starting as a Polymer Chemist in 2002. She brings extensive packaging resin and formulation experience to her new role.
Meanwhile, Kurpejovic has worked at PPG for more than nine years in various roles in OV, Easy Open End and Food and Caps & Closures divisions in Europe.
Polina Ware, PPG global technical director, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Caudia and Elzen to the Packaging Coatings Global Technical Leadership team.
“Both Claudia and Elzen have successful records leading teams and developing innovative, advanced solutions. With these appointments, we continue establishing PPG as a technical leader in the Packaging Coatings world, particularly when it comes to sustainability.”
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