Smooth Sailing Ahead: Aker Arctic Appoints Mika Hovilainen as Interim CEO

A Finnish engineering company, Aker Arctic, has named Mika Hovilainen as interim managing director and CEO after the departure of longtime CEO Reko-Antti Suojanen. Suojanen, who spent 19 years at Aker Arctic, announced in December he would leave to explore new opportunities. Hovilainen, who joined in 2006, expressed confidence in leading the company and is committed to building on its legacy of innovation and success. A global search for a permanent CEO is underway.

Aker Arctic, a Finnish engineering company renowned for its expertise in designing ice-going vessels, made a significant announcement on Thursday. The company revealed the appointment of Mika Hovilainen as the interim managing director and CEO, succeeding the departure of Reko-Antti Suojanen, who served as CEO for a decade. Suojanen, with an impressive 19-year tenure at Aker Arctic, expressed his confidence in passing the helm to Hovilainen, emphasizing the latter’s extensive experience at the company and leadership in Ship Design activities.

Hovilainen, assuming the role of interim CEO, will report to Aker Arctic’s board of directors, which has initiated a global search for a permanent CEO. His journey at Aker Arctic began in 2006 as a project engineer, progressing through various pivotal roles to his recent position as the head of ship design. Expressing his enthusiasm and honor at taking on the interim CEO role, Hovilainen conveyed his strong commitment to upholding the company’s tradition of innovation and success. He also expressed his anticipation in collaborating closely with the talented team at Aker Arctic to deliver value to customers and stakeholders.

This leadership transition marks a pivotal moment for Aker Arctic, signifying a new chapter in its journey of excellence and groundbreaking innovation in the maritime industry. With Hovilainen at the helm, the company is poised to build upon its remarkable legacy and drive towards achieving new milestones. His wealth of experience and dedication to advancing Aker Arctic’s mission will undoubtedly steer the company toward continued success and technological advancement in the realm of ice-going vessels.

The departure of a longstanding CEO and the appointment of a new interim leader present a compelling narrative of continuity and evolution at Aker Arctic. As the company navigates through this transition, the global shipping industry will undoubtedly keep a close eye on the developments at Aker Arctic, a renowned trailblazer in the field of maritime engineering and innovation. With a promising future ahead, Aker Arctic and its new interim CEO are set to chart a course for continued excellence and pioneering achievements in the realm of ice-going vessels.

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