Billerud Appoints Jaakko Nikkilä as President of Billerud Europe

Dec. 20, 2024 - Billerud has appointed Jaakko Nikkilä as President, Billerud Europe and member of the Group Management Team, effective May 1, 2025.

Currently, Nikkilä holds the position of Executive Vice President at UPM, heading the business area Specialty Paper, until year-end.

As previously announced, Matthew Hirst will leave Billerud on January 31, 2025. Ivar Vatne, President and CEO of Billerud, will act as the interim President of Region Europe from February 1 through April 30.

Vatne commented, "I am very pleased that Jaakko Nikkilä will join Billerud to lead Region Europe where the focus for the coming years is to strengthen performance through our existing manufacturing assets. I am convinced that his qualities and deep understanding of the paper and packaging industry will be instrumental for Billerud going forward."

Nikkilä has extensive experience in both international sales and production of fiber-based packaging materials. He has been employed by the UPM Group since 1995 and served as a member of the UPM Group Executive Team since 2019.

Billerud provides paper and packaging materials that challenge conventional packaging for a sustainable future. The company has production units in Sweden, USA, and Finland.

SOURCE: Billerud