Jorma Rauhala, President and CEO of Kesko, is Nordic Listed Leaders’ CEO of the Year 2026. The six awards were presented at the Nordic Listed Leaders Gala at Valkoinen Sali, Helsinki, on Thursday 5 November, in front of around 140 CEOs, chairs and investors.
Rauhala was recognised as a growth leader who has taken Kesko towards a bold move: the acquisition of Dahl’s technical trade businesses in Sweden, Norway and Denmark. The jury rewarded courage, Nordic ambition and a leader who combines clear direction with care for people.
“This year we wanted to reward growth and courage. We sought to find different kinds of companies and leaders who can serve as an inspiration to others. It was great to notice that there were so many good candidates that the choice was at times really difficult,” said jury chair Riikka Rannikko, Partner at Hannes Snellman.
Board of the Year – Auroora Group Oyj
Auroora’s board took the company public in spring 2026, and the offering was oversubscribed. Behind the decision was fast growth and a steady stream of acquisitions. The jury chose courage: a board that built a growth platform for Finnish companies and stood behind its vision.
Board Member of the Year – Arja Talma
Talma chairs the audit committees of three listed companies and the board of Verkkokauppa.com. The jury recognised the board work that makes growth possible: deep governance expertise, sound judgement and the long, steady effort behind strong results.
Young Board Member of the Year – Nora Hortling
Hortling chairs Olvi’s board and also sits on Apetit’s board, making her one of the youngest chairs on Nasdaq Helsinki. The jury saw a committed owner representative with a clear growth agenda.
Future Leader of the Year – Janne Paavola, Nokian Panimo Oyj
Paavola started as a summer worker, rose to CEO and led the company to the stock exchange. He built listed-company governance in a young growth company and kept the team with him every step of the way. The jury was inspired by Paavola’s personal growth story.
Nordic IPO of the Year – Silex Microsystems AB
Listed on Nasdaq Stockholm, Silex Microsystems offered a strong growth story, and the business has kept growing since.
Growth is a choice
Nordic Listed Leaders founder and Listeds CEO, Helene Auramo and jury chair Riikka Rannikko share the same message. “The Nordic listed-company landscape needs leaders who make big decisions even in a difficult market. This year’s winners show that growth is also a choice,” Auramo said.
“Finland needs more leaders and boards that choose growth and courage,” Rannikko added.
How the winners were selected
Listeds screened all Nasdaq Helsinki companies on FY2025 results and data up to October 2026: revenue growth, profit, company size, share price performance, and the diversity of the board and management team. Nordic IPO of the Year was selected from all Nordic IPOs of 2026. The shortlists were presented to the jury, which made the final decisions.
The 2026 jury: Riikka Rannikko, Hannes Snellman (chair); Netta Mikkilä, PwC Finland; Alexandra Therman-Londen, Nordea; Tiina Olkkonen, IR Partners; Suvi Onkamo-Häkkinen, Adecco Finland; Kai Tavakka, Accendo Capital; Anni Erkko, Talouselämä; Henrikki Hirvonen, Admincontrol Finland.
Partners of the 2026 Gala were Hannes Snellman, PwC, Nordea, Adecco, Admincontrol, IR Partners, hasan & partners, Dell Technologies, Vivicta, Euroclear Nordics and Talouselämä. The next Gala is on 4 November 2027.
Nordic Listed Leaders is run by Listeds, the publisher of this article.
