Billerud has announced the appointment of Jaakko Nikkilä as president, Billerud Europe and member of the group management team. Nikkilä holds the position of executive vice president at UPM, heading the business area specialty paper with global sales of around EUR 1.5 billion, until year-end.

Nikkilä has extensive experience in both international sales and production of fiber-based packaging materials. He has been employed by the UPM Group since 1995 and served as a member of the UPM group executive team since 2019.

“I am very pleased that Jaakko Nikkilä will join Billerud to lead Region Europe where the focus for the coming years is to strengthen performance through our existing manufacturing assets. I am convinced that his qualities and deep understanding of the paper and packaging industry will be instrumental for Billerud going forward,” says Ivar Vatne, president and CEO of Billerud.

Nikkilä, born 1967, is a Finnish citizen. He will assume the position as president of Billerud Europe on 1 May 2025 and will be based in Stockholm. As previously announced, Matthew Hirst will leave Billerud on 31 January 2025. Ivar Vatne will act as the interim president of Region Europe from 1 February to 30 April.