Management Team and Board

Elenia's Management Team

Tapani Liuhala

Tapani Liuhala

CEO

CEO, Elenia

Board member since 2012

Tapani joined the company in 1990 and is the CEO of Elenia Networks and a member of the Elenia Networks Board. Tapani is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kiinteistö Oy Forssan Aleksi 6 and a member of the Board of Financelitas Oy. Tapani held various managerial positions at Vattenfall Verkko Oy including Head of Networks Finland, Assistant Managing Director and Manger of Customer Relations. Tapani holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.

Harri Happonen

CIO

CIO, Chief Information Officer, Elenia Oy
Born 1970, Doctor of Science (Tech.)

Unit Manager, Digital Services Elenia Oy 2020-2021, Manager New Earning Logics  Cargotec Finland Oy 2017-2020, Member of the Board Quva Oy 2016-2018, Chief Production Officer Executive Vice President Fimlab Laboratories 2014-2017, Chief Project Officer Fimlab Laboratories 2014, Director Partner Business Metso Automation 2012-2014, Director Product Management Metso Automation 2007-2012, Program Manager Business and Technology Development Metso Automation 2005-2007, Expert and project management tasks within industrial IT and automation 1995-2004.

Jarkko Kohtala

Jarkko Kohtala

CPCO

CPCO, Chief Procurement and Construction Officer, Elenia Oy
Born 1972, Holds M.Sc. (Eng.), Electrical Engineering

Head of Project and Construction Management , Elenia Oy 2012-2019, Head of Construction and Partnerships Vattenfall Distribution Nordic Networks Finland 2010 – 2011, Head of Asset Management Vattenfall Distribution Nordic Networks Finland 2006 – 2010, Manager, Network Planning and Maintenance BU Vattenfall Distribution Finland 2002 – 2006, Specialist, Network and Energy Data Management Vattenfall Siirto Oy/ Hämeen Sähkö Oy 1998 – 2002, System Specialist, Power System Control IVO Power Engineering Ltd 1996 – 1998.

Heini Kuusela-Opas

Heini Kuusela-Opas

CCO

CCO, Chief Communications Officer, Elenia Oy
Born 1960, Holds B.Sc. Social Sciences

Head of Media Relations, Vattenfall Group Communication Finland 2010 – 2011, Head of Communication Vattenfall Distribution Nordic Networks Finland 2006 – 2012, Head of Communication BU Vattenfall Distribution Finland 2004 – 2006, Vice President Communication Business Group Vattenfall Nordic, Finland 2004 – 2005, Communication Manager BU Vattenfall Distribution Finland 2002 – 2004, Information Officer Vattenfall Distribution companies Finland 2000 – 2002, several communication positions at public sector and journalist.

Jorma Myllymäki

Jorma Myllymäki

EVP

EVP, Executive Vice President, Elenia Verkko Oyj

Board Member since 2015
Member of the Safety, Health, Environment and Security Committee

COO Elenia Oy 2012-2019 and Board member of Elenia Oy since 2015, Head of Operations and Network Performance Vattenfall Distribution Nordic Networks Finland 2010 – 2011, Head of Operations Vattenfall Distribution Nordic Networks Finland 2007-2010, Global Product Manager ABB BU Medium Voltage Products 2004 – 2007, Head of Product Management ABB Oy 2003 – 2007, R&D Manager ABB Automation Technology Products AB Sweden 2002 – 2003, Development Manager, Site Manager and Program Manager ABB Oy 1997 – 2002, Sales Manager Otis Oy 1996 – 1997, Team Leader, Specialist and Design Engineer ABB Transmit Oy 1993 – 1996. Holds M.Sc. (Eng.), Electrical Engineering.

Ville_Sihvola

Ville Sihvola

VP

VP, Vice President Services, Elenia Oy
Born 1978, Holds M.Sc. (Eng.) Electrical Engineering

Managing Director Elenia Palvelut Oy 2015-2019, Head of Marketing and Sales Elenia Oy 2012-2015, Head of Marketing and Sales Vattenfall Distribution Nordic Networks Finland 2010 – 2011, Head of Field Services Vattenfall Distribution Nordic Networks Finland 2009 – 2010, Manager, Corporate Customers Vattenfall Distribution Nordic Networks Finland 2007 -2009, several positions at BU Vattenfall Distribution Finland.

Jenni Sironen Mäkinen

CHRO

Chief Human Resources Officer, Elenia Oy
Born 1982, Holds M.Sc. (Eng.), Chemical Engineering

Senior HR Business Partner DS Smith 2021 – 2023,

HR Manager Essity 2017-2021,

HR Manager SCA 2015-2017

HR Specialist Alstom Grid 2013 – 2014

Tommi Valento

Tommi Valento

CFO

CFO, Chief Financial Officer. Elenia Oy
Born 1976, Holds M.Sc (Econ) and LL.M. and is a CFA charterholder.

Group Treasurer Pohjolan Voima Oy 2014 – 2015, Head of Debt Advisory KPMG Oy Ab 2010 – 2014, Director Kaupthing Bank hf., Helsinki Branch 2007-2009, Vice President Pohjola Pankki 2004 – 2007, Analyst Fennorating Oy 2003 – 2004, Junior Associate McKinsey & Company 2001 – 2003.

Elenia's Board

Tuomo Rajala

Timo Rajala

CEO Rajalimes Oy, Consulting company

Chairman of the Board since 2012
Chairman of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee

Timo joined the company in 2012 and is the Chairman of the Board. Timo is the CEO of Rajalimes Oy, is the Chairman of the Board of FinNuclear Oy and the Chairman of FinNuclear ry, and is a member of the Board of Ilmatar Windpower Plc. Prior to joining the company, Timo was President and CEO of Pohjolan Voima Oy (1992 – 2010), Director and manager of Teollisuuden Voima Oy and Pohjolan Voima Oy 1975 – 1992, Manager of Ekono Oy (Pöyry) (1973 – 1975). Timo was also previously Chairman of the following Boards: Teollisuuden Voima Oy (1992 – 2010) and Fingrid Oy (1996 – 2010). Timo was also a member of the following Boards: Savon Voima Oy (2000-2012) and Empower Oy (1995 – 2002) and (2010 – 2012). Timo holds a Master of Science degree in Engineering.

Mark Braithwaite

Mark Braithwaite

Investment Committee Member and NonExecutive Director,  Macquarie Asset Management

Board Member since 2018
Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee
Member of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee

Mark was a Senior Managing Director in Macquarie Asset Management between 2011 and 2022, having previously held the role of Chief Financial Officer of Thames Water Utilities Limited. Prior to joining Thames Water, Mark was Finance Director of the customer and energy divisions at EDF Energy plc. Mark remains on the MAM Investment Committee in EMEA and is a non-executive director of a number of MAM’s portfolio infrastructure companies in Europe. Mark is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and a fellow of the Association of Corporate Treasurer.

Eduard Fidler

Director, Allianz Capital Partners

Board Member since 2019
Member of the Audit and Risk Committee
Member of the Safety, Health, Environment and Security Committee

Eduard Fidler is a Director at Allianz Capital Partners. He leads asset management activities for a number of Allianz’s direct infrastructure investments and currently holds board positions at Cadent Gas Limited in the UK, and Delgaz Grid SA in Romania. Eduard has over 15 years’ experience in energy and infrastructure investment and asset management. Prior to joining Allianz, Eduard was a senior member of Blackrock’s Global Energy & Power team (formerly part of First Reserve), and before this investing and managing utility investments at Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets. He began his professional career at AMEC plc in corporate strategy and project engineering. Eduard is a CFA® charterholder, and a graduate of Mechanical Engineering from the University of British Columbia.

Tapani Liuhala

Tapani Liuhala

Board member since 2012.

Tapani joined the company in 1990 and is the CEO of Elenia Networks and a member of the Elenia Networks Board. Tapani is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kiinteistö Oy Forssan Aleksi 6 and a member of the Board of Financelitas Oy. Tapani held various managerial positions at Vattenfall Verkko Oy including Head of Networks Finland, Assistant Managing Director and Manger of Customer Relations. Tapani holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.

Jorma Myllymäki

Jorma Myllymäki

EVP

EVP, Executive Vice President, Elenia Verkko Oyj
Board Member since 2015.
Member of the Safety, Health, Environment and Security Committee

COO Elenia Oy 2012-2019 and Board member of Elenia Oy since 2015, Head of Operations and Network Performance Vattenfall Distribution Nordic Networks Finland 2010 – 2011, Head of Operations Vattenfall Distribution Nordic Networks Finland 2007-2010, Global Product Manager ABB BU Medium Voltage Products 2004 – 2007, Head of Product Management ABB Oy 2003 – 2007, R&D Manager ABB Automation Technology Products AB Sweden 2002 – 2003, Development Manager, Site Manager and Program Manager ABB Oy 1997 – 2002, Sales Manager Otis Oy 1996 – 1997, Team Leader, Specialist and Design Engineer ABB Transmit Oy 1993 – 1996. Holds M.Sc. (Eng.), Electrical Engineering.

Sirpa Ojala

Board Member since 2018
Member of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee
Member of the Audit and Risk Committee
Member of the Safety, Health, Environment and Security Committee

Sirpa Ojala  worked as a CEO of Colliers International Finland Group (ex Ovenia Group Oy) 2016-2019. The company is the leading property management service provider in Finland. Prior to joining Colliers, Sirpa worked at M-Brain Oy, which is a global information, technology and consulting services’ company and for 15 years at Digita Oy in the Finnish terrestrial broadcasting industry. She has an extensive experience in regulated infrastructures and building long-term especially B-to-B customer relations. Sirpa holds a M.Sc.(Eng.) in Industrial Economics from the University of Technology of Lappeenranta. Sirpa currently holds board positions at NESA (Huoltovarmuuskeskus), Kuntien Tiera Oy, Kekkilä Oy, Helsinki region Chamber of Commerce and Finnish Estonian Institution Foundation. She was a Member of the Board at Fingrid Oyj 7/2012-4/2015.

Michael Pfenning

Michael Pfennig

Co-Head of Infrastructure, Allianz Capital Partners

Board Member since 2018
Member of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee

Dr. Michael Pfennig is Co-Head of Infrastructure and member of the management board of Allianz Capital Partners (ACP). He has joined ACP in 2004 and has since worked on numerous transactions both in the infrastructure as well as in the private equity sector.

He currently holds non-executive board positions at several companies in the electricity, gas and transport sector across Europe. Prior to joining ACP, Michael worked in Corporate Finance at Deutsche Bank and previously with the Corporate Finance and Strategy practice of McKinsey in Frankfurt and London. He started his career in Corporate Risk Management at Siemens in Munich.

Michael holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from Frankfurt University (Dipl.-Kfm.) and has received his doctorate in finance and capital markets research from Munich University.

Board Member Phil Swift

Phil Swift

Operational Partner
MAM
Board Member since 2023

Phil also sits on the Boards of Roadchef (UK) and Southern Water (UK) where he has additional Board Committee responsibilities across both organisations. He was the President of National Grid Electricity Distribution (2021-2023) and CEO of Western Power Distribution (WPD) from 2018-2021. He led the WPD Executive Management team as part of PPL’s sale of WPD to National Grid that was completed in 2021. He has previously held a role in the successful acquisition and integration of EON’s Central Networks business into WPD. Prior to that he worked in Aerospace where he completed his engineering apprenticeship. Phil has an engineering degree BSc (Hons) from Portsmouth.