Group Management Board

President and CEO of Kesko Corporation and Chairman of the Group Management Board

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Jorma Rauhala, b. 1965, Master of Science (Economics).

Kesko Corporation's Managing Director and Kesko Group's President and CEO.

Other major duties: Finnish Commerce Federation: Chair of the Board 1.2.2024-, Confederation of Finnish Industries EK: member of the Board 1.2.2024; European DIY Retail Association (EDRA): Member of the Board 2019-; Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences Ltd: Chair of the Board 2021-; The Finnish Grocery Trade Association: Chair of the Board 2017 (until 20.11.2017) and 2013-2014; member of the Board 2013-2016; the Association of Finnish Advertisers: member of the Board 2014-2017 (until 24.11.2017).
Employment history: employed by Kesko Corporation since 1992. Kesko Corporation's Managing Director and Kesko Group's President and CEO since 1 February 2024. President of Kesko’s building and technical trade since 15 November 2017 and Deputy CEO 15 November–31 January 2024. Senior Vice President, grocery trade division 2015-2017. President of Kesko Food Ltd 2013-2017. Vice President for the K-citymarket chain's food trade 2012-2013; Managing Director of Kespro Ltd 2007-2012; Purchasing Director of Kespro Ltd 2003-2007.
Member of the Group Management Board since: 5 February 2013.

Kesko shares held:
31 December 2022: 205,178 B-shares.
31 December 2023: 228,691 B-shares.

The other members of the Group Management Board

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Ari Akseli, b. 1972, Master of Science (Economics).
President, grocery trade.
Other major duties: The Finnish Grocery Trade Association: Member of the Board 2019-, Deputy Chair of the Board 2023-, Chair of the Board 2021-2022 and 2017-2018; Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Company: member of the Supervisory Board 2021-; AMS Advisor Board: member 2013-2019; IGS Advisor Board: member 2016-; Ruokatieto: Vice Chairman of the Board 2016-2019, member of the Board 2013-2015; Association for Finnish Work: member of the Executive Committee 2014-2019.
Employment history: Employed by Kesko Corporation since 1995. President of Kesko’s grocery trade division since 15 November 2017. Vice President for Commerce, Kesko’s grocery trade 2013-2017; President, Anttila Oy 2010-2013; President, K-citymarket Oy 2008-2013.
Member of the Group Management Board since: 15 November 2017.

Kesko shares held:
31 December 2022: 1,824 A shares, 105,476 B shares.
31 December 2023: 1,824 A shares, 122,670 B shares.

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Sami Kiiski, b. 1976, Master of Science (Economics). 
President, building and technical trade.
Other major duties:  member of the Board of Intersport International Corporation (IIC) since 2022; member of the Board of Association of Automobile Industry in Finland 2023-2024; member of the Board of the Finnish Central Organisation for Motor Trades and Repairs (AKL) 2023-2024; member of the Board of the Fashion and Sports Commerce Association 2020-2023; member of the Board of the Sport Retail and Wholesale Association (UVT) 2014-2019. 
Employment history: Employed by Kesko Corporation since 2020. President of building and technical trade since 1 April 2024; President of Kesko’s car trade division June 2023-March 2024; Director in charge of Kesko’s leisure trade and CEO of Intersport Finland Oy 2020-8/2023; CEO of Halti Oy 2015-2020; Executive Vice President of Sultrade Oy 2014-2015 and International Sales Director 2009-2014; head of leisure trade business at Solifer Group 2007-2009.
Member of the Group Management Board since: 1 June 2023.

Kesko shares held:
1 June 2023: 11,932 B shares.
31 December 2023: 11,932 B shares.

Johanna Ali, b. 1977, Master of Science (Economics and Business).
President, car trade division.
Other major duties: member of the Board of the Finnish Central Organisation for Motor Trades and Repairs (AKL) 05/2024-;
Employment history: Employed by Kesko Corporation since 2021. President of car trade division since 4 June 2024 (acting President of Kesko’s car trade division since 1 April 2024); K-Auto Oy, Vice President of Audi Finland 2021-; Forenom Oy  Country Director 2019-2021; LeasePlan Finland Oy, Commercial Director 2015-2019, Operational Director 2009-2015, Development and IT Manager 2007-2009, Business Controller 2003-2006, PricewaterhouseCoopers Oy, Auditor 1999-2002.
Member of the Group Management Board since: 1 April 2024.

Kesko shares held:
1 April 2024: 1,510 B shares.

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Anu Hämäläinen, b. 1965, Master of Science (Economics)
Executive Vice President, CFO
Other major duties: Valmet Corporation: Member of the Board 2022-, Chair of the Audit Committee 2024-; Neles Corporation: Member of the Board 2020-2021, Vice Chair of the Board 2021-2022, Chair of the Audit Committee 2020-2022; Finnfund (Finnish Fund for Industrial Cooperation Ltd): Member of the Board 2019-2024; Outotec Oyj: Member of the Board 2019-2020, Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee 2019-2020; Fingrid Oyj: Member of the Board 2016-2020, Chair of the Audit Committee 2016-2020; Glaston Corporation: Member of the Board 2012-2019.
Employment history: Employed by Kesko Corporation since 2020. Executive Vice President, CFO since 1 June 2024. Kesko Corporation: Vice President, Group Finance and Treasury 2020-2024; Wärtsilä Corporation: Vice President, Group Treasury and Financial Services 2015-2020, Vice President, Group Control 2010–2015, Director, Financial Accounting 2008–2010; SRV Group Ltd: Senior Vice President, Financial Administration 2006-2008; Quorum Ltd: Senior Partner 2005–2006; Conventum Ltd: Administration Director 2001–2005; Opstock Oy: Administration Director and a Partner 1999–2001; Wärtsilä: various treasury and finance tasks 1991-1999.
Member of the Group Management Board since: 1 June 2024.

Kesko shares held:
1 June 2024: 8 395 B shares.

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Lasse Luukkainen, b. 1978, Master of Laws
Executive Vice President, Legal and Sustainability
Other major duties: Davidsens Tømmerhandel A/S: Chair of the Board of Directors 2024 -, UAB ”Kesko Senukai Lithuania”: Chair of the Board of Directors 2020 -,  Independent Retail Europe: Member of the Board of Directors 2020 -, Vähittäiskaupan Takaus Oy: Member of the Board of Directors 2020 -, Confederation of Finnish Industries EK: member of the Legal Committee 2020 -, Finnish Commerce Federation: member of the Legal Committee 2020 -.
Employment history: employed by Kesko Corporation since 2010. Executive Vice President, Legal and Sustainability 2024 -; Senior Vice President, Group General Counsel 2020-2024; Senior Corporate Counsel 2015-2019; Corporate Counsel 2012-2015; Legal Counsel 2010-2011. Associate Castrén & Snellman Attorneys 2005-2010.
Member of the Group Management Board since: 1 June 2024

Kesko shares held:
1 June 2024:
31 537 B shares 

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Matti Mettälä, b. 1963, Master of Laws.
Executive Vice President, Human Resources.
Other major duties: Employment Fund: member of the Supervisory Board 2018-; Foundation for Vocational Training in the Retail Trade: member of the Board 2005-.
Employment history: employed by Kesko Corporation 1990-2005 and since 2012. Executive Vice President, Human Resources 12 April 2021-. Executive Vice President, Human Resources, Corporate Responsibility and Regional Relations 2018-2021. Senior Vice President, Human Resources 2015-2017. Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Stakeholder Relations 2012-2014. K-retailers' Association: Managing Director 2005-2012; Kesko Hardware and Builders’ Supplies: Vice President for Finance 2002-2005; Rautakesko Ltd: Development Director 2001-2002; Builders’ and Agricultural Supplies Division: Project Manager 1999-2000; Kesko Hardware and Builders’ Supplies: Vice President for the Rautia chain 1998-1999; Builders’ and Agricultural Supplies Division: Retail Services Manager 1996-1998; Vähittäiskaupan Takaus Oy: Retail Services Manager 1994-1996; Kesko Ltd's Credit Department: Credit Manager 1991-1992; Kesko Ltd's Credit Department: Legal Counsel 1990-1991.
Member of the Group Management Board since: 1 October 2012.

Kesko shares held:
31 December 2022: 1,000 A shares, 104,631 B shares.
31 December 2023: 1,000 A shares, 114,888 B shares.

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Karoliina Partanen, b. 1977, Master of Political Science.
Executive Vice President, Communications 
Areas of responsibility: Communications, Brand and Stakeholder Relations
Employment history: employed by Kesko Corporation since 2015. Kesko Corporation's Executive Vice President, Communications 2017-. Kesko grocery trade, Vice President, Communications 2015-2017.  Metso Corporation: Vice President, Global Brand and Marketing 2013-2015; Vice President, Marketing and Communications 2009-2013; Communications Manager 2005-2009. Pohjoisranta Burson-Marsteller Oy: Communications Consultant 2000-2005.
Member of the Group Management Board since: 1 October 2020.

Kesko shares held:
31 December 2022: 25,182 B shares.
31 December 2023: 32,026 B shares.

Mikko Helander acted as Kesko Corporation's Managing Director and Kesko Group's President and CEO from 1 January 2015 until he retired on 31 January 2024.

Jukka Erlund and Riikka Joukio were members of the Group Management Board until 31 May 2024. 

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