Nokian Tyres has proposed Jouko Pölönen, CEO of eQ Oyj, as the new chair of the board of directors, marking a leadership change ahead of the 2026 annual general meeting, tentatively scheduled for late March.

Pölönen would succeed Jukka Hienonen, who has said that he will not be available for re-election after serving as chair, the tire maker announced on Jan. 9. Pölönen brings extensive experience in financial services and listed companies, including asset manager eQ and Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance.

Alongside the chair change, the shareholders’ nomination board proposed Tom Adams as a new member of the board. Adams, CEO of Belgian automotive supplier VCST International, brings international industrial and leadership experience, strengthening the board’s global perspective. Elina Björklund is proposed to continue as deputy chair, drawing on her background in finance, investments, and board governance. Björklund is the board chair of children's clothing brand Reima Group. Other continuing directors include Susanne Hahn, Markus Korsten, Elisa Markula, and Antti Mäkinen.

The nomination board also proposed modest increases in board remuneration. The chair’s annual fee would rise to EUR 120,000, with 40 percent of all annual fees paid in Nokian Tyres shares and the remainder in cash.

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Leaders

Jouko Pölönen set to replace outgoing chair at Nokian Tyres

Jouko Pölönen set to replace outgoing chair at Nokian Tyres

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Nokian Tyres has proposed Jouko Pölönen, CEO of eQ Oyj, as the new chair of the board of directors, marking a leadership change ahead of the 2026 annual general meeting, tentatively scheduled for late March.

Pölönen would succeed Jukka Hienonen, who has said that he will not be available for re-election after serving as chair, the tire maker announced on Jan. 9. Pölönen brings extensive experience in financial services and listed companies, including asset manager eQ and Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance.

Alongside the chair change, the shareholders’ nomination board proposed Tom Adams as a new member of the board. Adams, CEO of Belgian automotive supplier VCST International, brings international industrial and leadership experience, strengthening the board’s global perspective. Elina Björklund is proposed to continue as deputy chair, drawing on her background in finance, investments, and board governance. Björklund is the board chair of children's clothing brand Reima Group. Other continuing directors include Susanne Hahn, Markus Korsten, Elisa Markula, and Antti Mäkinen.

The nomination board also proposed modest increases in board remuneration. The chair’s annual fee would rise to EUR 120,000, with 40 percent of all annual fees paid in Nokian Tyres shares and the remainder in cash.

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Authors

Emmi Laine is head of business content at Listeds and our lead for finance and business coverage. She sets the editorial agenda, interviews Nordic business leaders, and writes stories, newsletters, and social content on timely market and corporate topics. Emmi brings nearly eight years of experience from Shanghai's Yicai Global / Yicai Media Group, where she was awarded for reporting on China’s economy, finance sector, and technology innovation. She holds an MSc in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from ESADE Business School in Barcelona and a Master’s degree in International Design Business Management from Aalto University. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Culture Studies with a major in Journalism from Stockholm University and has studied Mandarin Chinese and Chinese culture. Emmi is a Finnish citizen and has lived in Finland, Sweden, China, and Portugal.

Emmi Laine is head of business content at Listeds and our lead for finance and business coverage. She sets the editorial agenda, interviews Nordic business leaders, and writes stories, newsletters, and social content on timely market and corporate topics. Emmi brings nearly eight years of experience from Shanghai's Yicai Global / Yicai Media Group, where she was awarded for reporting on China’s economy, finance sector, and technology innovation. She holds an MSc in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from ESADE Business School in Barcelona and a Master’s degree in International Design Business Management from Aalto University. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Culture Studies with a major in Journalism from Stockholm University and has studied Mandarin Chinese and Chinese culture. Emmi is a Finnish citizen and has lived in Finland, Sweden, China, and Portugal.

Authors

Journalist

Emmi Laine is head of business content at Listeds and our lead for finance and business coverage. She sets the editorial agenda, interviews Nordic business leaders, and writes stories, newsletters, and social content on timely market and corporate topics. Emmi brings nearly eight years of experience from Shanghai's Yicai Global / Yicai Media Group, where she was awarded for reporting on China’s economy, finance sector, and technology innovation. She holds an MSc in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from ESADE Business School in Barcelona and a Master’s degree in International Design Business Management from Aalto University. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Culture Studies with a major in Journalism from Stockholm University and has studied Mandarin Chinese and Chinese culture. Emmi is a Finnish citizen and has lived in Finland, Sweden, China, and Portugal.

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Rainmaker buys Inhouse Group to close its B2B gap ahead of a possible First North listing

Oct 7, 2026

Rainmaker has agreed to buy all shares in Yellow Holding, owner of B2B sales outsourcer Inhouse Group, and is investigating a listing on Nasdaq First North Growth Market Finland. The Finnish sales and customer service outsourcer had 2025 turnover of EUR 45.9 million.

Rainmaker buys Inhouse to close the gap on its EUR 7 million B2B target 

Rainmaker aims to grow its B2B business to around EUR 7 million by the end of its 2025 to 2027 strategy period. B2B sales revenue was EUR 1.6 million in the first half, up from EUR 1.0 million. Two pilot assignments did not move into production, and volumes in its SDR service fell in spring before recovering in early summer. Inhouse covers prospecting, customer acquisition and appointment booking, and will keep its own brand. The purchase price was not disclosed.

“Inhouse Group has built a strong position in demanding B2B solution sales and developed operating models that perfectly complement Rainmaker's business entity. The acquisition supports our strategy to grow and strengthens our position as a growth partner for our customers,” says Tapio Korttilalli, CEO of Rainmaker, in the press release.

Inhouse follows two acquisitions in the first half of 2026

In February, Rainmaker bought telephone sales company Myyntimestarit and its roughly 60 sales professionals. It also bought Digizer's e-commerce customer service business.  First-half revenue rose 14.2% to EUR 24.6 million, with organic growth of 10.6% and acquisitions adding 3.6 percentage points. Comparable EBITDA rose to EUR 1.7 million, or 7.0% of revenue, the bottom of its 7 to 10% medium-term target range.

The balance sheet has been rebuilt for a listing since spring

In June, pension insurer Veritas subscribed EUR 2.0 million of new shares, equal to 11.76% of shares after registration. “The company's growth prospects and market position create a solid foundation for the company's future development and it is really great to be part of this story,” says Theo Laakso, portfolio manager at Veritas.

Interest-bearing net debt fell to EUR 5.6 million from EUR 9.7 million a year earlier, or 1.5 times rolling EBITDA. In July, several loan arrangements were replaced with a single long-term facility with fewer covenants.

Two holding companies own more than 90% of the shares

Before the Veritas shares were registered, GTW Group held 58.56% of Rainmaker and Divest Group 34.34%. The company says a listing would strengthen its capital structure and fund organic and acquisition-driven growth. A new company form, an outside equity investor and simpler debt all point the same way. The Inhouse deal gives prospective investors a first look at what a listing would pay for.

Leadership Moves

Boreo names Lassi Simola CFO, ending nearly a year of a split finance function

Oct 6, 2026

Boreo has appointed Lassi Simola, currently Workout and Restructuring Executive at Nordea, as Chief Financial Officer and a member of the Group Management Team. He starts no later than 4 January 2027, ending an interim arrangement that has divided the finance role between two people since February.

Boreo brings back a CFO after deciding in February to manage without one

In December 2025, Boreo announced that CFO Jesse Petäjä would step down and said it had started recruiting a successor. In February 2026, it changed course and decided not to appoint a CFO for the time being. Rafael Osmanov became Head of M&A and Financing, and Vice President Finance Sami Hanerva took over financial reporting.

Once Simola starts, Hanerva will report to him in his current role. Osmanov will support the onboarding, and his contract ends by the end of March 2027.

The new CFO and the CEO both come from private equity and consulting dealmaking

Simola has more than 15 years in finance, over 10 of them in private equity, and is a CFA charterholder. Tuomas Kahri, CEO since 1 April 2026, was previously a partner at McKinsey & Company and Intera Partners. The hire is the first CFO appointment under Kahri.

“Lassi brings to Boreo strong expertise in mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance. He has extensive experience working with small and medium-sized companies and possesses an excellent understanding of the challenges and opportunities these businesses face,” says Tuomas Kahri, CEO of Boreo, in the press release.

Boreo has spent 2026 preparing its balance sheet for acquisitions

Boreo grew 2025 net sales by 14% to EUR 153.3 million and operational EBIT by 17% to EUR 8.0 million, and its board proposed no dividend to strengthen the financial position. The April 2026 AGM approved that proposal. First-half 2026 net sales rose 14% to EUR 84.6 million, operational EBIT rose 21% to EUR 4.3 million, and operating cash flow improved to EUR 3.7 million.

The portfolio is moving in both directions. In July, subsidiary Floby Nya Bilverkstad sold its vehicle painting business Lackmästar'n. On 1 October, Boreo bought technical textiles maker TEXpro for an enterprise value of EUR 1.6 million, paid from existing cash.

“With its strengthened financial position and renewed focus on acquisitions, I believe the company is well positioned to pursue its growth strategy,” says Lassi Simola.

TEXpro, with EUR 1.7 million in net sales, shows the scale of Boreo's deals so far this year. A CFO hired for his acquisition record suggests the board expects that scale to grow.

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