Stora Enso introduced a series of leadership and structural changes that will take effect at the start of 2026, reflecting the company’s preparation for the planned 2027 demerger of its Swedish forest business and the strategic review of its Central European sawmills and building solutions operations. As part of these changes, Tuomas Hallenberg has been appointed President and CEO of Stora Enso’s Swedish forest business, stepping down from his position on the Group Leadership Team at the end of 2025. Hallenberg joined Stora Enso in 2024 after holding senior roles at Metsähallitus and UPM, bringing decades of forest industry leadership experience.

Stora Enso will also establish a new Wood and Energy business area on 1 January 2026. The unit will oversee wood sourcing and trading, wood products supply chain and sales, the company’s energy business and Central European sawmilling operations. Pauli Torikka has been appointed Executive Vice President of the new business area and will join the Group Leadership Team. Torikka has served in several leadership roles since joining Stora Enso in 2020 and previously spent many years in senior positions at UPM.

In another transition, Lars Völkel will assume the role of Executive Vice President Containerboard, succeeding Hannu Kasurinen, who will retire at the end of 2025 after a 32-year career with Stora Enso. Völkel, who joined the company in 2020 and currently leads the Wood Products business, will continue as a member of the Group Leadership Team. CEO Hans Sohlström noted that the incoming leaders’ expertise will support the next phase of Stora Enso’s strategic transformation and expressed gratitude for Kasurinen’s long-standing contributions.

Beginning 1 January 2026, Stora Enso’s Group Leadership Team will comprise Hans Sohlström, Niclas Rosenlew, Micaela Thorström, Tobias Bäärnman, Andreas Birmoser, Markku Luoto, Lars Völkel, Carolyn Wagner, Johanna Hagelberg and Pauli Torikka, reflecting the company’s sharpened focus on core business areas and operational readiness for its future structure.