Valio’s CEO Annikka Hurme will conclude her tenure at the Finnish food organization by the end of 2026, marking nearly forty years with the company.
In light of this transition, the board has announced Matti Lehmus as her successor, effective January 1st.
Hurme is set to remain in her role until the year’s conclusion. She joined Valio in 1989 and has served as CEO since 2014.
Today, on June 8th, Vesa Kaunisto, chair of Valio’s board, expressed confidence in Lehmus’s ability to guide the company: “Valio’s strategy emphasises international expansion, strengthening growth brands, accelerating new businesses and building new capabilities in a rapidly changing operating environment.”
He added that the board believes Matti’s strategic insights and leadership will significantly contribute to achieving their objectives.
Lehmus transitions to Valio from the energy sector, having spent his career at Finnish energy company Neste. Starting in various sales and business development roles, he advanced between 1998 and 2009 before taking on executive positions focused on oil products and renewables for over a decade. Most recently, he served as president and CEO from May 2022 until October 2024.
His experience also includes board memberships with the National Emergency Supply Council from 2018 to 2024 and the Confederation of Finnish Industries EK from 2019 to 2020. In 2025, he joined the board of Kemira as a non-executive member.
Lehmus expressed enthusiasm for his new role, stating, “It is a great opportunity to lead Valio, which has a unique role in the Finnish food industry. Valio has a strong foundation: skilled employees, respected brands, and the ability to develop new products.”
Kaunisto commended Hurme for her pivotal contributions, recognizing her as a driving force in Valio’s growth, profit enhancement, and strategic development. Under her leadership, Valio has become a prominent player in Finnish food exports and diversified its operations to include plant-based products, biogas initiatives, and wholesale activities.
Founded in 1905, Valio is owned by 3,000 Finnish dairy farmers and boasts a diverse brand portfolio that includes the lactose-free Valio Eila range, the protein-enhanced Valio Profeel line, and the Oddlygood brand for plant-based dairy alternatives. Recently, the company reported 2024 sales of €2.4 billion ($2.76 billion) and exports to approximately 60 countries, employing around 4,200 individuals.
In May, Valio revealed intentions to cease production at its Oulu facility, reallocating manufacturing to sites in Riihimäki, Jyväskylä, and Joensuu. The company indicated that rising costs and declining output at Oulu necessitated this shift to enhance efficiency, profitability, and competitiveness in alignment with its strategic vision. The change may impact 264 employees, potentially affecting up to 140 positions.
Additionally, in 2025, Valio announced plans to close its fava-beans factory acquired from Raisio, transferring production to another facility in Joensuu.
