Executive Management Team

The CEO is appointed by the Board and his/her service contract is approved by the Board. The CEO is in charge of the day-to-day management of the company. The duties of the CEO are governed primarily by the Companies Act and the CEO instruction, and the CEO leads the operational activities and prepares information and decisions to support the Board and presents his findings at Board meetings.

In accordance with the Companies Act, the CEO has a right to decide on certain urgent matters which otherwise would have required a Board decision.

The Executive Management Team (EMT) is chaired by the CEO. The members of the Executive Management Team are proposed by the CEO and appointed by the Board, and they report to the CEO. The EMT is composed of the CEO, the CFO, heads of Divisions and functional EVP’s. The EMT meets bi-weekly or if required on a more frequent basis. The divisions comprise the business units which operate their respective lines of business. The CEO, CFO and other functional leaders meet with division leadership on a monthly basis to discuss the divisions’ performance and financial status. In addition, the EMT meets to discuss issues concerning group performance, strategy, budget, forecasting, business development and other matters relating to the Group.

In accordance with the policies and guidelines established by the Board, Group functions are responsible for strategy development, distribution of financial resources between the Group’s operations, capital structure and risk management. Their duties also include matters concerning group-wide research and development, sustainability, acquisitions and disposals, procurement, consolidated financial reporting, human resources, internal and external communications, IT, legal matters and compliance. The Chief Operating Officer coordinates operations and major capital expenditure projects as well as safety, environment, and occupational health.

Ahlstro╠êm_Helen Mets_2349.jpg

Helen Mets

President and CEO

British and Dutch citizen
BA (Hons), Business & Finance, MBA

Primary working experience
Ahlstrom-Munksjö Oyj, Member of the Board November 2021–December 2022; DSM Resins & Functional Materials, Senior Vice President and CEO 2017–2021; Pon Equipment Division, Senior Vice President & Managing Director 2013–2017; Avery Dennison Graphics and Reflectives, Vice President & Managing Director 2007–2013.

Niklas Beyes

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

German citizen
MBA

Primary working experience
RENK Group, CFO, 2022–2023; Brose Group, CFO, 2018-2021; FTE automotive Group, CFO, 2015–2018; SKF GmbH, CFO, 2010-2015; Schaeffler Group, CFO Europe, 2008-2010; Tekfor Inc., USA, VP Finance, 2005-2008; Deloitte, CPA of Germany and USA, 1995-2005.

Wolfgang Laures

Chief Operating Officer (COO)

German citizen
Ph.D. (Electrical Engineering)

Primary working experience
Glatfelter, SVP of Integrated Global Supply Chain and IT, 2019-2023; Perstorp Group, EVP, 2014–2019; Avery Dennison, Senior Global Supply Chain & Operations Director, 2009-2014; Avery Dennison, General Manger & EMEA Supply Chain Director, 2004-2008; McKinsey & Company, Engagement Manager, 2001-2004; and various positions at P&G from 1995-2001.

Mary Puddepha

Chief People Officer

American-British citizen
B.Sc. (Business Administration), BA. (Soc.)

Primary working experience

Syngenta, where she has worked since 2016, latest as Head of HR, Global Seeds; and various senior HR positions at SABMiller, PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers), IBM Global Business Services since 1999.

Wouter Hut

Chief Procurement Officer

Dutch citizen
M.Sc. (Chemical Engineering)

Primary working experience
Ahlstrom, Chief Procurement Officer 2021–now; various senior leadership positions at AkzoNobel such as Director Global Procurement 2007-2010, Vice President Global Purchasing 2010-2014, Vice President Procurement 2015-2018; and other key positions at Phillips, Tradaware, and Rubbernetwork from 1997-2007.

Emmanuelle Picard

Executive Vice President, Building Materials

French citizen
Ingénieur, M.Sc. (Engineering)

Primary working experience
Wipak, Managing Director, West region Europe 2020–2022; Imerys, General Manager for Performance Additives, EMEA 2017–2019; ITW Construction, Vice President & General Manager, Continental Europe 2016–2017; Saint-Gobain, General Manager for Industrial Fabrics Europe, Adfors 2013–2016; and several positions at Saint-Gobain from 2003–2013.

Mark Ushpol

Executive Vice President, Food & Consumer Packaging

U.S. citizen
Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.), Business/Managerial Economics

Primary working experience
DS Smith, North America Packaging Division, Managing Director, 2019–2021; Mondi Group, President, Industrial Bags North America 2015–2019; Domtar, President, Personal Care North America, 2013–2014; Domtar, President, Ariva, 2010–2013; Mondi Group, various VP positions in marketing and sales in Durban, South Africa and Vienna, Austria 1997 to 2009.

Sophie Haan

Executive Vice President, Technical Materials

Belgian citizen
M.Sc. (Econ.) and MBA

Primary working experience
Allnex, Global Business Director, Crosslinker business unit 2020–2022 and several managerial positions at Allnex from 2014–2020; Tessenderlo Group, Global Business Unit Director for Inorganics business 2012–2014 and various managerial positions at Tessenderlo Group from 2009–2012; Accenture, Senior Manager for Supply Chain Global Service Line, 2001–2008.

Jacques Lafon

Executive Vice President, Healthcare

French citizen
M.Sc. (Information Technology)

Primary working experience

Private entrepreneur, consultant 2021–2022; Cardinal Health, President EMEA, Medical Segment 2019–2021, and several managerial positions from 2015–2019; Hillrom 2014–2015 Vice President & General Manager South Europe and several managerial positions 1997–2014.

Daniele Borlatto

Executive Vice President, Filtration

Italian citizen
Graduate in Business & Administration

Primary working experience
Ahlstrom-Munksjö, Executive Vice President, Industrial Solutions 2017–2019; Munksjö Oyj, Executive Vice President and President for Release Liners 2013–2017; Ahlstrom Corporation, Executive Vice President, Label and Processing 2011–2013; Ahlstrom Corporation, Vice President, Release & Label business unit and Supply Chain Label & Processing business area 2010–2011; Ahlstrom Corporation, Senior Vice President, Release & Label Papers and member of Corporate Executive Team 2007–2010.

Konraad Dullaert

Executive Vice President, Science, Innovation & Sustainability

Belgium citizen
M.Sc. (Chemical Engineering), Ph.D. Rheology

Primary working experience

Convestro, Senior Vice President, Head of R&D Coatings & Adhesives 2021–2023; Convestro, Global Vice President, R&D Resins & Functional Materials 2021; and several leadership positions at DSM 2005-2021.

Andreas Elving

Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel

Swedish citizen
Master of Laws from Uppsala University

Primary working experience
Autoliv Inc., Associate General Counsel 2015–2016; Mannheimer Swartling Advokatbyrå AB, Senior Associate 2014–2015; Mannheimer Swartling (China), Senior Associate 2010–2014; Mannheimer Swartling Advokatbyrå AB, Associate/Senior Associate 2004–2010; District Court of Stockholm, Law Clerk 2002–2004.