Stora Enso’s New CEO Hans Sohlström Invests Over €1 Million in Company Shares

Stora Enso’s new CEO, Hans Sohlström, has displayed his confidence in the company’s future by purchasing more than 84,260 company shares, amounting to over one million euros. This move comes as Stora Enso’s stock price has experienced a nearly 10 percent decline throughout the year.

Sohlström assumed the position of CEO on Monday after the departure of former CEO Annica Bresky, who sought new challenges outside the company. Sohlström, who holds both a master’s degree in engineering and a master’s degree in economics, was previously a member of Stora Enso’s board, which he left immediately upon becoming CEO. His prior experience includes roles as CEO of Ahlström (a fiber materials manufacturer), Ahlström Capital (an investment company), Rettig (an investment company), and various management positions at UPM-Kymmene, a forest company.

With this recent purchase, Sohlström now owns more than 100,000 Stora Enso R-series shares, making him the company’s largest shareholder among its management team. Per Lyrvall, the director of the Forest division, holds the second-largest share, with nearly 83,000 series R shares.

It is not uncommon for the CEO of publicly listed companies to be among the largest shareholders in the company’s management team. This ownership pattern is observed in various Helsinki Stock Exchange-listed companies, including Nokia and Elisa. However, it is not a universal practice, as some CEOs, as in the cases of Sammo and Kone, do not hold significant shares within their company’s management team. In Sanoma Group, Susan Duinhoven, the CEO, is the second-largest owner after Sebastian Langenskiöld.

Sohlström’s significant ownership reflects his confidence in Stora Enso’s future and his commitment to driving the company’s success.