Alexandra Åquist, chief revenue officer and country manager for Spain and Portugal at Karnov Group, will join Enento Group as country director for Sweden and a member of the executive management team no later than the beginning of 2027. The appointment comes as Sweden returns to growth, with local sales increasing 2% at comparable exchange rates in the first quarter after a difficult period for one of Enento's most important markets.

Åquist will report directly to CEO Teppo Paavola, the Finnish credit information provider announced recently. Carl Brynielsson, who has served as interim country director for Sweden, will return full-time to his role as country director for Norway and Denmark. The appointment is the latest management team change since Paavola joined Enento in January 2026, following a broader restructuring of the company's leadership and operating model.

The hire follows a stronger start to 2026 for Enento after a challenging period in Sweden. The group’s first-quarter net sales increased 5% to EUR 39.6 million, adjusted EBITDA rose 9% to EUR 13.5 million, and free cash flow climbed 59% to EUR 11.1 million.

Sweden moves from restructuring to recovery

Åquist joins as Enento seeks to build on early signs of improvement in Sweden.

The market weighed on group performance through 2024 and 2025, as regulatory uncertainty affecting loan brokers suppressed demand for consumer credit information services. Full-year 2025 net sales were EUR 152.7 million, flat at comparable exchange rates, with growth primarily driven by Business Insight operations in Finland.

Management responded by introducing a country-based operating model in March 2026, creating separate profit-and-loss responsibility for Finland and Sweden. Brynielsson assumed interim responsibility for Sweden while the search for a permanent leader was conducted.

The first quarter showed signs of improvement, with consumer credit volumes stabilizing, real estate services delivering growth, and compliance services securing new contracts.

Compliance and growth experience

Åquist joins from Karnov Group, where she most recently served as CRO and country manager for Spain and Portugal. Her career has included leadership positions across insurance, fundraising and legal information services, with much of her senior executive experience coming within Karnov's legal information and compliance business.

"We are excited to welcome Alexandra Åquist to Enento,” CEO Paavola said. “Her experience in transformations and driving growth will be instrumental to our next steps in Sweden. The role is crucial in supporting our growth agenda, improving speed-to-market, and delivering even stronger value to our customers." 

Åquist said she looks forward to leading Enento's Swedish business and building on the company's market position through innovation and customer value creation.

What Enento is trying to achieve

Enento is focused on expanding higher-growth areas, including compliance services, real estate data, and SME products, while improving performance in Sweden. 

Earlier this month, the company acquired Swedish ownership data provider Eivora AB, which management said strengthens its position in ownership and compliance data and supports the development of data- and AI-enabled services.

Enento is also seeking to balance growth investments with strong cash generation. It generated EUR 34.1 million of free cash flow in 2025 and has highlighted cost discipline, IT infrastructure consolidation and vendor optimization as ongoing priorities.

Investor watchpoints

Investors will be watching whether the recovery in Sweden continues through the second half of 2026, particularly as regulatory developments affecting Swedish loan brokers remain an important variable for consumer credit information demand.

Åquist's start date, developments within the Swedish organization, and the integration of Eivora will also be key areas to monitor. The company has yet to announce a successor to former Group General Counsel Panu Pökkylä, who left the business in April 2026.

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Leaders

Karnov's Åquist joins Enento as Sweden chief as recovery gains traction

Karnov's Åquist joins Enento as Sweden chief as recovery gains traction

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Alexandra Åquist, chief revenue officer and country manager for Spain and Portugal at Karnov Group, will join Enento Group as country director for Sweden and a member of the executive management team no later than the beginning of 2027. The appointment comes as Sweden returns to growth, with local sales increasing 2% at comparable exchange rates in the first quarter after a difficult period for one of Enento's most important markets.

Åquist will report directly to CEO Teppo Paavola, the Finnish credit information provider announced recently. Carl Brynielsson, who has served as interim country director for Sweden, will return full-time to his role as country director for Norway and Denmark. The appointment is the latest management team change since Paavola joined Enento in January 2026, following a broader restructuring of the company's leadership and operating model.

The hire follows a stronger start to 2026 for Enento after a challenging period in Sweden. The group’s first-quarter net sales increased 5% to EUR 39.6 million, adjusted EBITDA rose 9% to EUR 13.5 million, and free cash flow climbed 59% to EUR 11.1 million.

Sweden moves from restructuring to recovery

Åquist joins as Enento seeks to build on early signs of improvement in Sweden.

The market weighed on group performance through 2024 and 2025, as regulatory uncertainty affecting loan brokers suppressed demand for consumer credit information services. Full-year 2025 net sales were EUR 152.7 million, flat at comparable exchange rates, with growth primarily driven by Business Insight operations in Finland.

Management responded by introducing a country-based operating model in March 2026, creating separate profit-and-loss responsibility for Finland and Sweden. Brynielsson assumed interim responsibility for Sweden while the search for a permanent leader was conducted.

The first quarter showed signs of improvement, with consumer credit volumes stabilizing, real estate services delivering growth, and compliance services securing new contracts.

Compliance and growth experience

Åquist joins from Karnov Group, where she most recently served as CRO and country manager for Spain and Portugal. Her career has included leadership positions across insurance, fundraising and legal information services, with much of her senior executive experience coming within Karnov's legal information and compliance business.

"We are excited to welcome Alexandra Åquist to Enento,” CEO Paavola said. “Her experience in transformations and driving growth will be instrumental to our next steps in Sweden. The role is crucial in supporting our growth agenda, improving speed-to-market, and delivering even stronger value to our customers." 

Åquist said she looks forward to leading Enento's Swedish business and building on the company's market position through innovation and customer value creation.

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What Enento is trying to achieve

Enento is focused on expanding higher-growth areas, including compliance services, real estate data, and SME products, while improving performance in Sweden. 

Earlier this month, the company acquired Swedish ownership data provider Eivora AB, which management said strengthens its position in ownership and compliance data and supports the development of data- and AI-enabled services.

Enento is also seeking to balance growth investments with strong cash generation. It generated EUR 34.1 million of free cash flow in 2025 and has highlighted cost discipline, IT infrastructure consolidation and vendor optimization as ongoing priorities.

Investor watchpoints

Investors will be watching whether the recovery in Sweden continues through the second half of 2026, particularly as regulatory developments affecting Swedish loan brokers remain an important variable for consumer credit information demand.

Åquist's start date, developments within the Swedish organization, and the integration of Eivora will also be key areas to monitor. The company has yet to announce a successor to former Group General Counsel Panu Pökkylä, who left the business in April 2026.

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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.

Devdatta Temgire is a data and business analyst at Listeds. He contributes research, data analysis, and pattern detection to the publication’s coverage of Nordic-listed companies, with a focus on board composition, leadership transitions, and financials. He holds an honors degree in artificial intelligence and data science alongside a bachelor’s in computer engineering, and previously worked at KPMG.

Devdatta Temgire is a data and business analyst at Listeds. He contributes research, data analysis, and pattern detection to the publication’s coverage of Nordic-listed companies, with a focus on board composition, leadership transitions, and financials. He holds an honors degree in artificial intelligence and data science alongside a bachelor’s in computer engineering, and previously worked at KPMG.

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.

Devdatta Temgire is a data and business analyst at Listeds. He contributes research, data analysis, and pattern detection to the publication’s coverage of Nordic-listed companies, with a focus on board composition, leadership transitions, and financials. He holds an honors degree in artificial intelligence and data science alongside a bachelor’s in computer engineering, and previously worked at KPMG.

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Market Signals

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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