Reaktor recruits Ahlsell finance chief Antti Akkanen as CFO after oversubscribed IPO

Ahlsell Finland CFO Antti Akkanen will join Reaktor Group as chief financial officer on October 1, 2026, succeeding Ilkka Kosola as the Finnish software and technology company prepares for its first reporting cycle as a listed business following its oversubscribed June IPO.

The appointment will see Akkanen report to CEO Pekka Horo as a member of the global leadership team, the Finnish technology company that designs, builds, and sells software products and digital solutions announced yesterday.

Kosola, who has led Reaktor's finance function for several years, will leave at the end of September following a planned succession first announced in spring 2026. 

Akkanen joins just weeks after Reaktor raised around EUR 20 million in its IPO. Trading began on Nasdaq Helsinki in June after investor demand exceeded the shares available. As Listeds reported when the offering closed, the IPO attracted strong institutional backing and positioned Reaktor to accelerate its software products business and international growth. 

Akkanen joins from Ahlsell, where he served as CFO of the technical wholesale company's Finnish operations. Earlier in his career, he held senior finance leadership roles at Kone, Oriola, Microsoft, and Nokia, with experience spanning financial planning, controlling, business finance, and mergers and acquisitions. He holds a Master of Science in Finance from the University of Vaasa.

"Antti has built and steered global finance functions through real change. He has great experience from publicly listed companies and understands how technology businesses grow and create value. We are glad to have him with us," CEO Pekka Horo said.

Akkanen said he aims to strengthen the company's financial platform. "Reaktor has shaped some of the most demanding digital products and services in the world while building an exceptional company culture. As CFO, I want to help ensure the company's financial foundation is as strong as the engineering that powers its success."

IPO shifts focus to growth

The appointment marks Reaktor's next phase as a listed company, with investor attention moving from the success of the IPO to the company's ability to deliver on the growth ambitions it presented to the market.

Reaktor began trading on Nasdaq Helsinki in June after pricing its IPO at EUR 8.25 per share, giving the company a market capitalization of around EUR 210 million. In the morning session today, the shares traded at around EUR 7.80, leaving the stock modestly below its IPO price.

Akkanen joins during Reaktor's first reporting cycle as a listed company. The company will publish its half-year report on August 19 during the transition period, followed by its January-September interim report on November 11 after he has assumed the CFO role.

Incoming CFO inherits stronger financial momentum

Reaktor reported a sharp improvement in first-quarter performance. 

Revenue increased over 30% year-on-year to EUR 39.1 million, while EBITDA almost quadrupled to EUR 10.1 million. Operating profit increased nearly sixfold to EUR 9.1 million, profit for the period climbed over 330% to EUR 7.4 million, and return on equity rose to 155.7% from 20.7% a year earlier, helped by a major Defence & Security licence agreement and higher billable hours.

The balance sheet remains an important focus. The reported equity ratio improved to 16% from 11.9% a year earlier, while net debt moved to negative EUR 1.5 million. Reaktor also reports an adjusted equity ratio of 56.2% after accounting adjustments, an area that will remain under close scrutiny as the company settles into life on the public market.