President and CEO and Executive Committee

Neste’s President and CEO, Peter Vanacker (b. 1966, MSc, Chemical Engineering, Polymers Engineering) manages the Company’s business operations in accordance with the Finnish Companies Act and instructions issued by the Board of Directors. The President and CEO shall oversee the executive management of the company in accordance with instructions and orders given by the Board of Directors and is responsible for ensuring that the Company’s accounts are in compliance with the law and that its financial affairs have been arranged in a reliable manner. The President and CEO is appointed by the Board of Directors, which evaluates the performance of the President and CEO annually and approves his remuneration on the basis of a proposal by the Personnel and Remuneration Committee.

The Executive Committee assists the President and Chief Executive Officer in the management and coordination of the implementation of the Neste’s strategic and operational goals. The present Executive Committee consists of the following persons:

Peter Vanacker

(born 1966)

President and CEO, Chair of the Executive Committee
M.Sc. Chemical Engineering, Polymers Engineering
President and CEO since 2018.

Joined the company in 2018. Served as CEO and Managing Director, CABB Group GmbH 2015–2018 as well as CEO & Managing Director of Treofan 2012–2015. Worked as Executive Vice President and Member of the Executive Board of Bayer MaterialScience (today Covestro AG) 2004–2012 with responsibility of the global Polyurethanes business and as Chief Marketing and Innovation Officer. Before that had several directorial and managerial positions in Belgium, Brazil, US and Germany at Bayer since 1990. Chair of the Advisory Board for the European Institute for Industrial Leadership. Member of the Supervisory Board of Symrise AG.

Mercedes Alonso

(born 1966)

Executive Vice President, Renewable Polymers and Chemicals business unit
M.Sc. (Chem)
Member of the Executive Committee since 2019.

Joined the company in September 2019. Responsible for the Renewable Polymers and Chemicals business unit. Previously served as Marketing Director Advanced Polymer Solutions in LyondellBasell (2019), Managing Director Eng. Composites Europe 2016–2019, and Global Director Corporate Marketing in a Schulman Inc. 2013–2016, as well as Business Excellence Leader, Advanced Materials in Dow Europe GmbH 2010–2013.

Panu Kopra

(born 1972)

Executive Vice President, Marketing & Services
BBA, MBA
Member of the Executive Committee since 2016.

Joined the company in 1996. Responsible for the Marketing & Services business unit. Previously served as Vice President in Oil Retail Sales in Finland and Baltic Rim 2014–2015, Vice President in Oil Retail Russia and Baltic Rim 2010–2014, General Manager in St. Petersburg Russia (2009), Business Development Manager in Renewable Products 2007–2008, Sales Director (2006), General Manager in Latvia 2003–2005 and in several other positions in the company. Board member of East Office as of 2016.

Thorsten Lange

(born 1963)

Executive Vice President Renewable Aviation business unit
(M.Sc.) Banking and Auditing
Member of the Executive Committee, joined the company in January 2020. Responsible for Renewable Aviation business unit.

Previously served as Head of Fuel Procurement (global), Lufthansa Group (2001 - present), Product Manager, Automotive Lubricants, FUCHS DEA Schmierstoffe GmbH&Co KG (1999-2001), Director Industry Lubricants, DEA Mineraloel AG (1998 – 1999) as well as Marketing Manager and Pricing Groundfuels, DEA Mineraloel AG (1992 – 1997). Thorsten Lange is a member of the IATA Fuel Steering Group. Previously he has also been the Chairman of the IATA Commercial Fuel Group, a member of the IATA Fuel Working Group as well as a member of the Star Alliance Fuel Advisory Group.

Matti Lehmus

(born 1974)

Executive Vice President, Renewables Platform
M.Sc. (Eng.), eMBA
Member of the Executive Committee since 2009.

Joined the company in 1997. Executive Vice President of Renewables Platform. Previously responsible for the Oil Products business area. Has also served as Executive Vice President of the Oil Products and Renewables business area 2011–2014, Executive Vice President of the Oil Products business area 2009–2010, Vice President of the Base Oils business in the Specialty Products Division 2007–2009, Vice President of Oil Refining Business Development (2007) and Gasoline Exports and Trading Manager 2004–2007 in the Oil Refining Division. Chairman of the Board of the Chemical Industry Federation of Finland. Member of the Board of the Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK).

Carl Nyberg

(born 1979)

Executive Vice President, Renewable Road Transportation
M.Sc. Economics and Business Administration
Member of the Executive Committee since 2019.

Joined the company in 2005. Responsible for the Renewable Road Transportation business unit. Responsible for the Renewable Products business area in 2019 from February to May (acting). Served in various positions at Neste, most recently as Vice President of Sales Scandinavia of the Renewable Products business area 2016–2019 and Vice President, Supply, Oil Products at Neste Geneva 2014–2016. Managing Director of Neste AB 2017–2019.

Marko Pekkola

(born 1969)

Executive Vice President, Oil Products
MSc, Energy Technology
Member of the Executive Committee since 2019.

Joined the company in 2018. Responsible for the Oil Products business unit. Previously served as Vice President, Production 2018–2019. Before joining Neste, held many leading positions in Stora Enso Oyj and M-real Oyj.

Minna Aila

(born 1966)

Senior Vice President, Sustainability, Public Affairs, Communications and Brand Marketing
LL.M.
Member of the Executive Committee since 1 April 2020.

Senior Vice President of Sustainability, Public Affairs, Communications and Brand Marketing. Served previously as EVP Marketing & Corporate Affairs at Konecranes (2018–2020); VP, Corporate Affairs at Nokia (2015–2018); SVP, Marketing, Communications & Corporate Responsibility at Outotec (2012–2015); Head of Communications, Federation of Finnish Financial Services (2010–2012). Various roles in global communications, investor relations, corporate responsibility and government relations at Elcoteq (2004–2009). Various roles at European Commission (1992–2004). Chair, EU and Trade Policy Committee at the Confederation of Finnish Industries EK. Vice Chair, Business at OECD Trade Committee. Member of the Board at Finland-China Trade Association and National Defense Course Association.

Hannele Jakosuo-Jansson

(born 1966)

Senior Vice President, Human Resources, HSSEQ and Procurement
M.Sc. (Eng.)
Member of the Executive Committee since 2006.

Joined the company in 1990. Senior Vice President of Human Resources, HSSEQ and Procurement. Previously responsible for the Group’s Human Resources and Safety corporate functions. Served as Vice President, Human Resources at Oil Refining (2004–2005) and Laboratory and Research Manager at the Technology Center (1998–2004). Member of the Board of Directors of Ahlstrom-Munksjö and LUKE (Natural Resources Institute Finland).

Lars Peter Lindfors

(born 1964)

Senior Vice President, Innovation
Ph.D. (Tech.), MBA.
Member of the Executive Committee since 2009.

Joined the company in 2007. Senior Vice President of Innovation. Previously responsible for Research & Development, Investment Management, Information Technology, Procurement, and Business Processes. Served previously as Senior Vice President, Technology and Strategy 2009–2012, Vice President for the company’s Research and Technology unit 2007–2009, Member of the Executive Committee of the Perstorp Group 2001–2007 as Executive Vice President, Renewal and Development and prior to that at Neste as R&D Manager and various other positions 1989–2001. Member of the Board of the Fortum Foundation and Tikkurila Oyj.

Jyrki Mäki-Kala

(born 1961)

Chief Financial Officer, Strategy and IT
M.Sc. (Econ.)
Member of the Executive Committee since 2013.

Joined the company in 2013. Chief Financial Officer, Strategy and IT. Previously responsible for the Group’s strategy, financial management, investor relations, and risk management. Served in various business and corporate financial positions at Kemira 2005–2013. Previously worked for Finnish Chemicals. Member of the Supervisory Board of Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance Company. Member of the Board of Directors and Audit Committee of Tesi (Finnish Industry Investment Ltd.).

Christian Ståhlberg

(born 1974)

General Counsel
LL.M.
Member of the Executive Committee since 2017.

Joined the company in 2017. Responsible for the Group’s legal affairs. Secretary to the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors, the Audit Committee, the Shareholders’ Nomination Board and to the Stakeholder Advisory Panel. Served previously as General Counsel of Rettig Group Ltd 2015–2017, Director, Legal in Pohjola Bank plc 2011–2014, Senior Legal Counsel in Neste Oil Corporation 2007–2011 and Senior Associate in Roschier Attorneys Ltd 1998–2007.