Board member candidates' biographical details

Esa Kiiskinen, b. 1963, Kauppaneuvos (an honorary title granted by the President of the Republic of Finland), Business College Graduate.

Independence: He is considered not to be independent of the Company (entity controlled by him has a chain agreement with a Kesko Group company) but to be independent of its significant shareholders.

Domicile: Helsinki, Finland.
Principal occupation: Food retailer.
Main employment history: K-food retailer since 1990.
Main positions of trust: Saija ja Esa Kiiskinen Oy: Chair of the Board 1995-.

Board member since: 30 March 2009.

Kesko shares held:
31 December 2022: 459,200 A shares held by him and entities controlled by him and 9,380 B shares held by him. 
31 December 2023: 459,910 A shares held by him and entities controlled by him and 11,121 B shares held by him and entities controlled by him.

Jannica Fagerholm, b. 1961, Master of Science (Economics).

Independence: She is considered to be independent of the Company and of its significant shareholders.

Domicile: Helsinki, Finland.
Principal occupation: Managing Director.
Main employment history: Signe and Ane Gyllenberg Foundation: Managing Director 2010-; SEB Gyllenberg Private Bank: Managing Director 1999-2010; Handelsbanken Liv Finland: Country Director 1998-1999.
Main positions of trust: Mandatum plc: Vice Chair of the Board 2023-; Sampo plc: member of the Board 2013-; Solidium Oy, member of the Board 2019-, Kelonia Ab, member of the Board 2010-; Veritas Pension Insurance, member of the Supervisory Board 2010-; The Society of Swedish Literature in Finland, member of the Board 2015-, member of the Financial Board 2001-2015; Eira Hospital Ltd: member of the Board 2010-; Föreningen Stiftelser och Fonder (Säätiöt ja rahastot ry): member of the Board 2015-2021, Chair of the Board 2022-2023, Hanken School of Economics: member of the Board 2008-2022, Chair of the Board 2019-2021; Teleste Corporation: member of the Board 2013-2020; Aktia Abp: member of the Board 2012-2013; Partiosäätiö foundation: member of the Board 1997-2013. 

Board member since: 4 April 2016.

Kesko shares held:
31 December 2022: 9,805 B shares held by her.
31 December 2023: 10,709 B shares held by her.

Pauli Jaakola, b. 1973, retailer, EMBA

Independence: Jaakola is considered not to be independent of the company (entity controlled by him has a chain agreement with a Kesko Group company) and not independent of its significant shareholders (Chair of the Board of a significant Company shareholder, the K-Retailers’ Association).

Domicile: Kirkkonummi, Finland
Principal occupation: Food retailer, P. Jaakola Oy
Main employment history: K-food retailer since 2001
Main positions of trust: K-Retailers’ Association: Chair of the Board 2024-, Board member 2019-, 2012-2016; K-ruokakauppiasyhdistys ry: Board Chair 2019-2024, Deputy chair 2012-2016, member 2011-2012, 2016-2018; Finnish Grocery Trade Association: Board member 2019-2024; Vähittäiskaupan tilipalvelu VTP Oy: Board member 2019-2024; Foundation for Vocational Training in the Retail Trade: Chair of the Board 2024-, Board member 2023-; K-instituutti Oy: Board member 2012-2016.

Board member since: 26 March 2024.

Kesko shares held:
25 January 2024: 170,000 A shares held by entities controlled by him and 2,500 B shares held by him.

Piia Karhu, b. 1976, Doctor, Business Administration. 

Independence: She is considered to be independent of the Company and of its significant shareholders.

Domicile: Kauniainen, Finland.
Principal occupation: President, Metso.
Main employment history: Metso: President, Minerals 2024-, President, Metals 2022-2024, SVP Business Development 2020-2022; Finnair Plc: Senior Vice President, Customer Experience 2016-2020. Various leadership positions at Finnair Plc since 2013. Previously worked as a management consultant for 12 years at Ernst & Young and Capgemini.
Main positions of trust: Board member in East Office of Finnish Industries Oy 2024-

Board member since: 11 April 2018.

Kesko shares held:
31 December 2022: 4,364 B shares held by her.
31 December 2023: 5,046  B shares held by her.

Jussi Perälä, b. 1970, retailer, Business College Graduate

Independence: He is considered not to be independent of the Company (entity controlled by Perälä has a chain agreement with a Kesko Group company), but to be independent of its significant shareholders.

Domicile: Helsinki, Finland
Principal occupation: Retailer, J & M Perälä Oy
Main employment history: Retailer: K-Rauta Oulunkylä 2014- and K-Rauta Procenter Pasila 2020-, K-Rauta Palokka Jyväskylä 2010-2014, Rautia-maatalous Vasarakatu Jyväskylä 2003-2010, K-Rauta Kangasniemi 1998-2008, K-Rauta Laukaa 1997-2013, Rautia Joutsa 1997-2012, K-Rauta Toivakka 1997-2005.
Main positions of trust: K-Retailers' Association: Vice Chairman of the Board 2016-2021, Board member 2009-2014, K-rautakauppiasyhdistys: Board member 2008, Vice Chairman of the Board 2009-2014, Vähittäiskaupan Takaus Oy: Board member 2018-2021, Vähittäiskaupan Tilipalvelu Oy: Chair of the Board 2020-2021, Board member 2017-2020, Finnish Hardware Association: Board member 2009-2011 and 2016-2021, Rautia Chain Board: Chairman 2008, member 2001-2007, K-Rauta planning group: 2011-2014. 

Board member since: 12 April 2021 

Kesko shares held: 
31 December 2022: 133,000 A shares and 96,751 B shares held by him and entities controlled by him.
31 December 2023: 133,000 A shares and 97,433 B shares held by him and entities controlled by him. 

Timo Ritakallio, born 1962, Doctor of Science (Technology), Master´s degree in law (LL.M.), MBA. 

Independence: He is considered to be independent of the Company and of its significant shareholders.

Residence: Helsinki, Finland. 
Main occupation: President and Group Chief Executive Officer.
Career: OP Financial Group: President and Group Chief Executive Officer 2018-, Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance Company: President and CEO 2015-2018, Deputy Chief Executive Officer 2008-2014, Pohjola Bank Group: Deputy Executive Officer and Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee 2006-2008, OKO Bank: Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Member of the Executive Board 2001-2005, OKO Bank: Executive Vice President and Member of the Executive Board 1997-2001, Opstock Securities Ltd: Managing Director 1993-1997, Uudenkaupungin Seudun Osuuspankki: Managing Director 1991-1993.
Key positions of trust: Finance Finland, FFI: Chairman of the Board of Directors 2020-2021, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors 2022-, Member of the Board of Directors 2017-, Confederation of Finnish Industries EK: Member of the Board of Directors 2020-2021, Finnish Chamber of Commerce: Member of the Board of Directors 2019-, Chairman of the Board 2022-, OP Corporate Bank plc: Chairman of the Board of Directors 2018-, Pohjola Insurance Ltd: Chairman of the Board of Directors 2018-, The Finnish Olympic Committee: Chairman of the Board of Directors 2016-2020, Outotec Oyj: Member of the Board of Directors 2011-2019, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors 2013-2019, Technopolis Oyj: Member of the Board of Directors 2008-2015, Nasdaq OMX Nordic Inc: Member of the Board of Directors 2003-2011, SSH Communication Security Oyj: Member of the Board of Directors 2003-2009.

Board member since: 12 April 2021

Kesko shares held: 
31 December 2022: 2,000 A shares and 1,107 B shares held by him.
31 December 2023: 2,000 A shares and 1,789 B shares held by him.

Tiina Alahuhta-Kasko, b. 1981, President and CEO,  D.Sc. (Tech.) h.c., M.Sc. (Econ), CEMS MIM

Independence: Considered to be independent of the company and of its significant shareholders.

Domicile: Helsinki, Finland.
Principal occupation: President and CEO, Marimekko Corporation.
Main employment history: Marimekko Corporation: President and CEO 2015-; Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Member of Management Group 2014–2015; Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and Member of Management Group 2012–2015; Head of PR, PR Manager 2005–2012.
Main positions of trust: IMD (International Institute for Management Development): Foundation Board member 2018–; Finnair Plc: member of Board and its People and Remuneration Committee 2019–; Climate Leadership Coalition: Board member 2022–; Aalto University: Board member 2025–.

Kesko shares held (14 January 2025): -