Stora Enso's CEO Jouko Karvinen has been selected as RISI's 2010 European CEO of the Year for the pulp and paper industry. The award will be presented at RISI's 12th European Pulp and Paper Outlook Conference in Amsterdam on March 9-11, 2010.
European analysts and portfolio managers covering the forest products industry choose the European CEO of the Year annually through a survey organized by RISI. The criteria for nomination include leadership, vision and strategic accomplishment. Karvinen previously won the award in 2008, after only one year in the position of CEO at Stora Enso, and has been overwhelmingly chosen again as this year's winner.
Analysts have been impressed with Karvinen's leadership since he became CEO. One analyst stated that Karvinen "Has shown strong leadership through restructuring since the outset of his appointment, and all through 2009. He has also demonstrated that he clearly understands both the needs of the industry and of investors." Another analyst noted that Karvinen "continues to tackle difficult restructuring measures while also positioning the company for future growth, such as its acquisition of the ENCE assets in Uruguay."
Karvinen commented, "I am of course happy, humbled and feel privileged for getting the award for the second time by the vote of true forest industry experts. This is a team sport and therefore I hope all my colleagues at Stora Enso will share a big piece of the recognition, no boat sails fast with the skipper only."
