The VR Group Board of Directors has appointed Elisa Markula (M. Sc. Econ.) as the new CEO of the company. Prior to joining VR Group, Markula was CEO of the Oriola Corporation, CEO of the Tikkurila Group and Managing Director of the Coffee Division for the Paulig Group. Markula assumed her responsibilities on 30 August 2022.
During the selection process, the VR Group Board of Directors emphasised customer orientation, good leadership qualities, successful performance, and international business expertise in their ideal candidate. Kjell Forsén, Chairman of the Board, was therefore very pleased to name Elisa Markula as the new CEO of VR Group.
“Elisa has extensive experience in B2B and B2C operations, both in Finland and abroad, especially in Sweden. She has successfully managed various businesses with a humane and inspiring touch. We are convinced that she is the right person to steer the company into the future. We warmly welcome her to VR Group and thank Topi Simola for his valuable work as interim CEO”, Forsén says.
“I am very excited about the new opportunities at VR Group and meeting the personnel. VR Group has an important role as a responsible and customer-orientated company providing passenger, logistics, and maintenance services in both Finland and Sweden. Railways and public transport are growing sectors that are more sustainable than other forms of transport and they contribute to our society’s target of carbon neutrality. Together with our personnel, we are going to focus on continuously improving VR Group’s operations and customer experience as well as pursuing growth. This is how we will realise VR Group’s vision: Travelling together for a better world. I strongly believe in good corporate culture that allows us to create the best possible customer experience together,” Elisa Markula says.
The recruitment process for the VR Group CEO started in April 2022, in the meantime, Topi Simola, Senior Vice President of Passenger Services, served as interim CEO. After Markula’s appointment, Simola returned to his former responsibilities.
UIC expresses its warmest congratulations to Ms Markula on her appointment and conveys its very best wishes.
(Source: VR Group)
