Hans Sohlström started in the role on Monday (18 September). He was a member of the Finnish packaging and paper giant’s board of directors but stepped down from there on Monday, meaning the Stora Enso board will now have eight members.
Sohlström has over 30 years of experience in business leadership, including over 10 years as a CEO, predominantly in the forest and renewable materials industries.
Most recently he led Ahlstrom Corporation, Ahlström Capital, and Rettig Group. Prior to that, for over 20 years he held several leadership positions at UPM-Kymmene Corporation, such as mill director, and 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.
“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,” said Kari Jordan, chair of the board of directors of Stora Enso.
“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 added: “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.”
Annica Bresky, who served four years as president and CEO and was the first woman to helm the business, has left her position to pursue new challenges outside of Stora Enso.
“On behalf of the board of directors, I would like to sincerely thank Annica Bresky for her leadership and achievements during the past four years,” said Jordan.
“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.”
Earlier this month, Stora Enso updated on the progress of the restructuring actions that it laid out in June.
Aimed at strengthening its long-term competitiveness and creating a decentralised and more customer centric operating model, the company had said the actions would reduce its headcount by around 1,150 in total.
