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Daniel Lähde, group controller at Eagle Filters Group, has been appointed CFO effective today, completing a five-year rise through the company's finance organization as the filtration technology company enters a new phase of production expansion backed by a recent €2.6 million capital raise.
Lähde succeeds Timo Linnainmaa, who announced his resignation in January and departed no later than April. The appointment fills a vacancy that remained open for nearly five months while Eagle Filters completed a directed share issue, published its first-quarter results, and strengthened its balance sheet.
Eagle Filters Group, a Finnish material science company focused on filtration solutions for the energy industry, promoted from within rather than recruiting externally. Lähde joined the company in 2021 after a career in auditing at KPMG, where he most recently served as an Authorized Public Accountant (KHT). He holds a Master's degree in Economics and Business Administration and has overseen group-level financial reporting and controls as group controller. His appointment brings continuity as the company works through a record order backlog and scales production capacity.
"Lähde has broad experience in financial management and a wide range of financial and business management skills," the company said in the bourse release today.
Internal successor takes finance helm during recovery
The promotion closes a succession process that began when Linnainmaa announced his departure on January 20, 2026. His resignation came before the company published full-year results that later showed revenue had fallen 59% and EBITDA reached negative €2.7 million, creating a leadership gap during a challenging period for the finance function.
Rather than bringing in an external executive, the board selected a finance leader who had already worked inside the business throughout both the difficult 2025 period and the stronger start to 2026. Lähde was also part of the finance team during the company's recent directed share issue, which raised €2.6 million and resulted in the issuance of 37.7 million new shares.
Growth momentum improves as backlog reaches record level
The new CFO takes office as operating performance improves. In the first quarter of 2026, order intake increased 190% year-on-year to €3 million, revenue rose 113% to €1.6 million, and order backlog expanded almost fivefold to a record €7.7 million. EBITDA improved to negative €0.1 million from negative €0.9 million a year earlier.
Management has said the company's priority is to increase production capacity, add manufacturing personnel, and accelerate deliveries to convert the growing backlog into revenue. Eagle Filters also received a boost after Business Finland forgave a €708,000 loan and all accrued interest, further strengthening its financial position.
What to watch
The appointment is a continuity move rather than a strategic reset. The key question for investors is execution. With a record backlog and fresh capital in place, the company's ability to accelerate deliveries and recognize revenue will be the clearest measure of progress under Lähde's financial leadership.
The H1 2026 report will be the first set of results prepared under his direct oversight as CFO and will provide an early indication of whether the capital raise, production ramp-up and stronger order intake are translating into sustainable profitability.
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