Krogerus Transactions Forum 2024 – Finland at the Dawn of New Beginnings
When: Wednesday, 18 September 2024 / 12 noon - 6 pm
Where:
Little Finlandia
Karamzininranta 4
00100 Helsinki
Little Finlandia
Karamzininranta 4
00100 Helsinki
Event information
Questions? Get in touch
Krogerus Transactions Forum 2024 – Finland at the Dawn of New Beginnings
The Krogerus Transactions Forum 2024, an event focusing on the significant promise and potential of the Finnish economy, was held on 18 September 2024 at Little Finlandia in Helsinki.
With Finland at the Dawn of New Beginnings as the theme of the event, the programme was opened by our keynote speaker Frank Vang-Jensen, Nordea's President & Group CEO, who provided a unique Nordic perspective on Finland's current standing and relevance within the region.
The forum thereafter featured three insightful sessions:
- A new beginning of the economic cycle
Luca Ferrari, Chairman of Mergers and Acquisitions for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at BofA Securities, gave us an overview of the international M&A trends with the theme The future: bright?. This was followed by a reflection board on the current economic climate featuring Luca Ferrari and Elizabeth Crain, Co-Founder of Moelis & Company and member of the Board of Directors of Nokia Corporation.
- A new beginning of investments in Finland
The session on investments in Finland began with a note by Peter Seligson, Chairman of the Board of A. Ahlström, on What is wrong, but could become right in Finland. The reflection board on the topic included representatives for different kind of ownership: Peter Seligson, Chairman of the Board of A. Ahlström, Anders Adlercreutz, Minister of Education (previously Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering) and Halvor Horten, Partner at Bain Capital.
- Hat-trick Finland - a new beginning of transactions
This session showcased fantastic Finnish soonicorns or unicorns, presenting their vibrant mindset and optimistic ambition for global expansion.
The event was hosted by Managing Partner Mårten Knuts, Partners Marcus Möller (Head of M&A) and Johan Aalto, as well as other Krogerus’ practitioners.
Programme
12.00 - 13.00
Registration and lunch
13.00 - 13.10
Opening remarks
Mårten Knuts, Managing Partner, Krogerus
13.10 - 13.25
Keynote: Is Finland still in the game?
Frank Vang-Jensen, President and Group CEO, Nordea
SESSION 1: A NEW BEGINNING OF THE ECONOMIC CYCLE
13.25 - 13.45
The future: Bright?
- Note by Luca Ferrari, Chair of M&A for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, BofA Securities
13.45 - 14.10
Reflection board
- Luca Ferrari, Chair of M&A for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, BofA Securities
- Elizabeth Crain, Co-Founder of Moelis & Company, Member of the Board of Directors of Nokia Corporation
- Moderator: Mårten Knuts, Managing Partner, Krogerus
14.10 - 14.40
Coffee break
SESSION 2: A NEW BEGINNING OF INVESTMENTS IN FINLAND
14.40 - 15.00
What is wrong, but could become right in Finland
Peter Seligson, Chair of the Board, A. Ahlström
15.00 - 15.25
Reflection board
- Anders Adlercreutz, Minister of Education (former Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering)
- Halvor Horten, Partner, Bain Capital
- Peter Seligson, Chair of the Board, A. Ahlström
- Moderator: Johan Aalto, Partner, Krogerus
SESSION 3: HAT-TRICK FINLAND – A NEW BEGINNING OF TRANSACTIONS
15.25 - 16.55
Q&A with Finnish soonicorns or unicorns
This session will showcase fantastic Finnish soonicorns or unicorns, presenting their vibrant mindset and optimistic ambition for global expansion.
- Richard Cawen, CFO and Co-Founder, Voltan Energy & Annika Schauman, Partner, Krogerus
- Tiia Rapeli, Chief People Officer, RELEX Solutions & Antti Luhtala, Partner, Krogerus
- Joakim Westerlund, CEO, Forcit & Andreas Brink, Senior Associate, Krogerus
- Moderator: Marcus Möller, Partner, Head of M&A, Krogerus
16.55 - 17.00
Closing remarks
- Marcus Möller, Partner, Head of M&A, Krogerus
17.00 - 18.00
Cocktails
Meet our speakers
Frank Vang-Jensen
President and Group CEO
Nordea
Frank Vang-Jensen has led Nordea since 2019. He has more than 30 years of experience in the Nordic financial industry and over 15 years of experience in executive leadership positions.
Mr. Vang-Jensen holds degrees in Finance & Credit and Organisation & Leadership from Copenhagen Business School and Executive programmes from INSEAD and Harvard.
President and Group CEO
Nordea
Frank Vang-Jensen has led Nordea since 2019. He has more than 30 years of experience in the Nordic financial industry and over 15 years of experience in executive leadership positions.
Mr. Vang-Jensen holds degrees in Finance & Credit and Organisation & Leadership from Copenhagen Business School and Executive programmes from INSEAD and Harvard.
Luca Ferrari
Chairman of EMEA M&A
BofA Securities
In March 2021, Luca Ferrari became Chairman of Mergers and Acquisitions for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at BofA Securities. Previously from July 2016-February 2021 Luca was Co-Head of EMEA M&A.
Prior to joining BofA Securities in July 2016, Luca developed his career at Greenhill, Goldman Sachs and UBS.
In the period 2012-2015 Luca was Co-CEO of Greenhill International. Prior to 2012 Luca spent over a decade working at Goldman Sachs where he was ultimately the partner responsible for the Northern Europe Advisory team and Northern European M&A. Luca moved to Goldman Sachs from UBS in 2000, having originally joined S.G.Warburg & Co in 1991.
Before his career in banking Luca obtained his accounting qualifications with Arthur Andersen & Co, and graduated from the London School of Economics after attending high school in Milan, Italy.
Luca has over 30 years of experience in the financial industry.
Chairman of EMEA M&A
BofA Securities
In March 2021, Luca Ferrari became Chairman of Mergers and Acquisitions for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at BofA Securities. Previously from July 2016-February 2021 Luca was Co-Head of EMEA M&A.
Prior to joining BofA Securities in July 2016, Luca developed his career at Greenhill, Goldman Sachs and UBS.
In the period 2012-2015 Luca was Co-CEO of Greenhill International. Prior to 2012 Luca spent over a decade working at Goldman Sachs where he was ultimately the partner responsible for the Northern Europe Advisory team and Northern European M&A. Luca moved to Goldman Sachs from UBS in 2000, having originally joined S.G.Warburg & Co in 1991.
Before his career in banking Luca obtained his accounting qualifications with Arthur Andersen & Co, and graduated from the London School of Economics after attending high school in Milan, Italy.
Luca has over 30 years of experience in the financial industry.
Elizabeth Crain
Co-Founder, Moelis & Company
Member of the Board of Directors, Nokia Corporation
Elizabeth Crain is a Co-Founder of Moelis & Company, a leading global independent investment bank, and served as the Chief Operating Officer from 2007 to October 2023. As COO, she led the Firm’s global strategy, infrastructure and business management functions. Elizabeth has been in the investment banking and private equity industries for almost 35 years as a banker, principal and operations executive. Prior to Moelis & Company, Elizabeth was a Managing Director at UBS Investment Bank where she held senior management roles in the UBS Investment Banking Department. Before joining UBS, Elizabeth worked in the private equity industry and began her career in investment banking at Merrill Lynch. Elizabeth serves on the Board of Directors of the Nokia Corporation and is the Interim Chair of Exscientia Ltd. Previously she served as a Director of Moelis & Company. In 2022, Elizabeth was named one of the 100 Most Influential Women in U.S. Finance by Barron’s Magazine. Elizabeth holds a B.S. in Economics from Arizona State University and a M.B.A. from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
Co-Founder, Moelis & Company
Member of the Board of Directors, Nokia Corporation
Elizabeth Crain is a Co-Founder of Moelis & Company, a leading global independent investment bank, and served as the Chief Operating Officer from 2007 to October 2023. As COO, she led the Firm’s global strategy, infrastructure and business management functions. Elizabeth has been in the investment banking and private equity industries for almost 35 years as a banker, principal and operations executive. Prior to Moelis & Company, Elizabeth was a Managing Director at UBS Investment Bank where she held senior management roles in the UBS Investment Banking Department. Before joining UBS, Elizabeth worked in the private equity industry and began her career in investment banking at Merrill Lynch. Elizabeth serves on the Board of Directors of the Nokia Corporation and is the Interim Chair of Exscientia Ltd. Previously she served as a Director of Moelis & Company. In 2022, Elizabeth was named one of the 100 Most Influential Women in U.S. Finance by Barron’s Magazine. Elizabeth holds a B.S. in Economics from Arizona State University and a M.B.A. from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
Peter Seligson
Chairman of the Board of A. Ahlström Oy
Member of the Board of Directors of Ahlstrom Oyj, Finnforel Oy and Baltiska Handels AB
Peter is a seasoned professional with experience from a broad range of businesses from investment banking to the forest industry. He is passionate about entrepreneurship and combining strategic thinking with hands-on execution to drive success.
Peter has studied in the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland where he earned a diploma lic.oec., Accounting and Finance
Chairman of the Board of A. Ahlström Oy
Member of the Board of Directors of Ahlstrom Oyj, Finnforel Oy and Baltiska Handels AB
Peter is a seasoned professional with experience from a broad range of businesses from investment banking to the forest industry. He is passionate about entrepreneurship and combining strategic thinking with hands-on execution to drive success.
Peter has studied in the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland where he earned a diploma lic.oec., Accounting and Finance
Anders Adlercreutz
Minister of Education
Anders Adlercreutz (b. 1970) graduated as an architect from Helsinki University of Technology in 1999. He has been Member of Parliament since 2015 and served as Chair of the Swedish Parliamentary Group from 2019 to 2023. From June 2023 till July 2024, he served as Minister of European Affairs and Ownership Steering and was appointed Minister of Education in July 2024 in Prime Minister Orpo’s government. On June 16, 2024, he was elected President of the Swedish People's Party of Finland.
Minister of Education
Anders Adlercreutz (b. 1970) graduated as an architect from Helsinki University of Technology in 1999. He has been Member of Parliament since 2015 and served as Chair of the Swedish Parliamentary Group from 2019 to 2023. From June 2023 till July 2024, he served as Minister of European Affairs and Ownership Steering and was appointed Minister of Education in July 2024 in Prime Minister Orpo’s government. On June 16, 2024, he was elected President of the Swedish People's Party of Finland.
Halvor Horten
Partner
Bain Capital
Mr. Horten joined Bain Capital in 2010. He is a Partner in the Industrials Vertical and is a member of the European Private Equity team. Mr. Horten works in the London office, leads the activity in the Nordic region and focuses on investments in a variety of industrial sectors across Europe. He also plays a leading role in European recruiting efforts.
Prior to joining, Bain Capital, he was as a consultant for McKinsey & Company in their Oslo office, where he worked on corporate finance and strategy related projects across a broad range of industries.
Partner
Bain Capital
Mr. Horten joined Bain Capital in 2010. He is a Partner in the Industrials Vertical and is a member of the European Private Equity team. Mr. Horten works in the London office, leads the activity in the Nordic region and focuses on investments in a variety of industrial sectors across Europe. He also plays a leading role in European recruiting efforts.
Prior to joining, Bain Capital, he was as a consultant for McKinsey & Company in their Oslo office, where he worked on corporate finance and strategy related projects across a broad range of industries.
Richard Cawén
CFO and Co-Founder
Voltan Lähienergia
Richard is the CFO and Co-Founder of Voltan Lähienergia (Voltan Energy), a decentralised energy company offering heating and cooling as a service to large properties. Voltan uses geothermal heat pumps to provide properties with clean and cost-effective energy throughout the year, without the upfront costs of installation.
Prior to Voltan, Richard worked with management consulting at Boston Consulting Group focusing on industrial and private equity clients and at EQT with focus on private equity investments.
Richard holds a M.Sc. in Finance from Hanken School of Economics and a M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
CFO and Co-Founder
Voltan Lähienergia
Richard is the CFO and Co-Founder of Voltan Lähienergia (Voltan Energy), a decentralised energy company offering heating and cooling as a service to large properties. Voltan uses geothermal heat pumps to provide properties with clean and cost-effective energy throughout the year, without the upfront costs of installation.
Prior to Voltan, Richard worked with management consulting at Boston Consulting Group focusing on industrial and private equity clients and at EQT with focus on private equity investments.
Richard holds a M.Sc. in Finance from Hanken School of Economics and a M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
Tiia Rapeli
Chief People Officer
Retail Logistics Excellence - RELEX Oy
Tiia Rapeli joined RELEX Solutions in 2019 and is currently the company’s Chief People Officer and a member of the Management team. She has 10+ years of experience working in various HR positions in the Technology industry. She is dedicated to increasing resiliency and efficiency in the consumer goods value chain by leveraging the best people and the most innovative solutions, whilst creating a positive and productive work environment for all RELEXians.
Tiia holds a Master of Science degree from the London School of Economics as well as a Bachelor of Social Sciences from the University of Helsinki.
Chief People Officer
Retail Logistics Excellence - RELEX Oy
Tiia Rapeli joined RELEX Solutions in 2019 and is currently the company’s Chief People Officer and a member of the Management team. She has 10+ years of experience working in various HR positions in the Technology industry. She is dedicated to increasing resiliency and efficiency in the consumer goods value chain by leveraging the best people and the most innovative solutions, whilst creating a positive and productive work environment for all RELEXians.
Tiia holds a Master of Science degree from the London School of Economics as well as a Bachelor of Social Sciences from the University of Helsinki.
Joakim Westerlund
CEO
Forcit Group
Joakim is the CEO of Forcit Group, a 250 MEUR Finnish company specialized in explosives, as well as services and technology related to explosives in the civil and Defence domains. Forcit Group has more than doubled its turnover since Joakim started in his position in 2019. Joakim is a member of the board of directors at wood composite technology company Woodio and the Chemical Industry Federation of Finland.
Joakim holds a MSc in Process Engineering and a PhD in Process Systems Engineering. Joakim is an adjunct professor (docent) in industrial engineering at Åbo Akademi University.
CEO
Forcit Group
Joakim is the CEO of Forcit Group, a 250 MEUR Finnish company specialized in explosives, as well as services and technology related to explosives in the civil and Defence domains. Forcit Group has more than doubled its turnover since Joakim started in his position in 2019. Joakim is a member of the board of directors at wood composite technology company Woodio and the Chemical Industry Federation of Finland.
Joakim holds a MSc in Process Engineering and a PhD in Process Systems Engineering. Joakim is an adjunct professor (docent) in industrial engineering at Åbo Akademi University.
Mårten Knuts
Managing Partner
Krogerus
Mårten represents a wide range of clients in cross-border and domestic corporate transactions. He regularly advises boards in listed companies on corporate governance matters and assists in strategic disputes pertaining to complex regulatory matters. Mårten is described as being very attentive, flexible and easy to get on with. Mårten also serves as the firm’s managing partner.
Managing Partner
Krogerus
Mårten represents a wide range of clients in cross-border and domestic corporate transactions. He regularly advises boards in listed companies on corporate governance matters and assists in strategic disputes pertaining to complex regulatory matters. Mårten is described as being very attentive, flexible and easy to get on with. Mårten also serves as the firm’s managing partner.
Johan Aalto
Partner
Krogerus
Johan Aalto is one of the most experienced M&A lawyers in Finland. He has been involved in many of the largest and most complex corporate transactions, both public and private. Johan advises regularly Board of Directors and the management on corporate governance issues and chairs the Annual General Meeting of several large and midsized public companies. In 2016 Johan was awarded the honorary title "Lagman" by the President of the Republic of Finland. He joined Krogerus in 2024.
Partner
Krogerus
Johan Aalto is one of the most experienced M&A lawyers in Finland. He has been involved in many of the largest and most complex corporate transactions, both public and private. Johan advises regularly Board of Directors and the management on corporate governance issues and chairs the Annual General Meeting of several large and midsized public companies. In 2016 Johan was awarded the honorary title "Lagman" by the President of the Republic of Finland. He joined Krogerus in 2024.
Marcus Möller
Partner, Head of Mergers & Acquisitions
Krogerus
Marcus heads our Mergers & Acquisitions practice. He represents clients in Finnish and cross-border corporate transactional assignments and real estate matters. His clients include private equity and real estate investors, financial institutions and leading Nordic and international corporations. Marcus' areas of specialisation include advising clients on their acquisitions and disposals, joint ventures, as well as on all types of private equity assignments, including fund formation and day-to-day operations of private investment funds.
Partner, Head of Mergers & Acquisitions
Krogerus
Marcus heads our Mergers & Acquisitions practice. He represents clients in Finnish and cross-border corporate transactional assignments and real estate matters. His clients include private equity and real estate investors, financial institutions and leading Nordic and international corporations. Marcus' areas of specialisation include advising clients on their acquisitions and disposals, joint ventures, as well as on all types of private equity assignments, including fund formation and day-to-day operations of private investment funds.
Event venue
The forum was held at Little Finlandia, a unique wooden event centre located in the heart of Helsinki.
Little Finlandia
Karamzininranta 4
00100 Helsinki
About Krogerus
Krogerus is one of the leading business law firms in Finland, advising Finnish and international clients in a broad spectrum of transactional, regulatory and dispute resolution matters. We are particularly apt at issues that pertain to the energy, finance, food and beverage, healthcare, real estate, technology and communications sectors. Krogerus is regularly retained in some of the most challenging and high-profile assignments in the market. Find out more about our expertise here.
Contact us
If you have any questions regarding the event, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
Hanna Ulkuniemi
Event Marketing Specialist
Krogerus
hanna.ulkuniemi@krogerus.com
+358 40 123 9151
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