Business Tampere strengthens EU advocacy and financial activation as CEO Harri Airaksinen moves to Brussels – a new CEO will be appointed for Business Tampere
9.4.2024
Business Tampere is undergoing a leadership transition to enhance EU advocacy and financial activation for the Tampere region.
CEO Harri Airaksinen will relocate to Brussels as the EU representative, effective September 1, 2024.
This move aims to strengthen connections with EU stakeholders and secure vital funding opportunities for the Tampere region. A new CEO will be appointed, expected to start by early August.
– We have already developed our services in order to build business driven EU financing consortia and partnerships, and the results are promising. As regional development funds continue to decrease, EU program funding is even more important. For example, the semiconductor sector and the defense sector have a big boom at the moment and we really have something to give to these sectors. I have former experience in operating in the EU environment of Brussels and I am looking forward to the new task, says CEO Harri Airaksinen.
The company is in a good development phase and its mission has become clearer
Within the company there is potential
Collaboration with domestic stakeholders and the Brussels office will intensify to streamline information flow on funding prospects and partnerships. The organization aims to expand its funding base with support from key financiers and foster collaboration with the region's business, education, and welfare sectors.
– Business Tampere has competent personnel, the company is in a good development phase and its mission has become clearer over the past few years. The company has a functional cooperation and a clear role and it receives good feedback from customers, i.e. owners, stakeholders and customer companies. Harri has done a good job. According to the board's view there is no need for major changes in the company, although of course different people in management always bring new skills and vision to the operation. Within the company there is potential new CEO candidates to continue the good work, and that is why we are starting the search internally, says Timo Mäki-Ullakko, chairman of the board.
