Ilkka Poikolainen: Safety is the foundation for our work

Ilkka Poikolainen, M.Sc. (Eng.) is 48 years old and started as the President and CEO for Posiva Oy in early November. Mr Poikolainen is excited to have a position in an organisation that is unique on a global scale.

 – Finland is starting the final disposal of spent nuclear fuel as the first country in the world. As a result of years of research and development, Finland now has a solution for final disposal, and Posiva will soon move from construction to actual production, Mr Poikolainen says.

 During this decade, Posiva will begin the geological final disposal of spent nuclear fuel inside a disposal repository located at Olkiluoto, within a depth of approximately 450 metres. Mr Poikolainen tells us that he was very impressed with the scope and thoroughness of the research related to final disposal.

 – Over the years, Posiva has become a global expert in final disposal and I believe that we can export the know-how to nuclear power companies via Posiva Solutions Oy. Key tasks in the coming years will be related to finalising the implementation stage of Posiva’s final disposal concept and to starting the actual final disposal activities.

 The new President and CEO emphasises that safety is the overriding priority in all stages of the final disposal process.

 – I believe in the continuous improvement model within industrial organisations. We always need to celebrate good results, but we also need to continuously improve our processes and ways of working – as well as the expertise of each employee, he contemplates.

Final disposal is a part of the sustainability efforts within the nuclear industry

Ilkka Poikolainen took his Master of Sciences degree from the University of Oulu in 2001, majoring in Process Engineering.

He was interested in the area because it offers good prerequisites for various positions within industry. Born in Jyväskylä, Mr Poikolainen has worked for major companies within the forestry sector – UPM, Stora Enso and Metsä Fibre – following his graduation.

– Even though my earlier experience is in the forestry industry, the different industrial fields have a lot in common today. For example, the importance of sustainability is continuously increasing, and I feel that the safe final disposal of spent nuclear fuel is a key part of the sustainability efforts in the nuclear industry. As part of the life cycle of nuclear power, final disposal also plays a role in the prevention of climate change.

Mr Poikolanen started at Metsä Fibre in 2005. He has held various positions in the sawmill and pulp business, including managing the Äänekoski Bioproduct mill and acting as a technical director for Metsä Fibre’s sawmill and pulp business.

Mr Poikolainen already knows Satakunta

Satakunta is familiar territory for Mr Poikolainen. In 2013–2017, he worked as the plant manager for Metsä Fibre’s pulp mill in Rauma and lived in the city with his family. Mr Poikolainen was also managing the commissioning of Metsä Fibre’s pinewood sawmill in Rauma early this year. The plant is considered to be the world's most advanced sawmill plant.

– During my days at the pulp mill, I was involved with the Rauma Chamber of Commerce. What I remember from those years is that, in Satakunta, companies and stakeholders want to actively develop the operational prerequisites for the industry in the region.

“An approachable leader who is open to discussion”

As a leader, Mr Poikolainen describes himself as goal-oriented, determined and engaging. He wants to be easily approachable and open to discussion.

– At Posiva, managing experts is emphasised. It is important that the specialists who understand the final disposal of spent nuclear fuel from their specific area of expertise get to put their skills to use. A leader needs to create the prerequisites for success in order for the organisation to fully leverage the expertise inherent in people.

Exercise and cabin life balance out the work

Mr Poikolainen’s stepfamily has six children, the youngest of whom will take their matriculation exam next spring and is still living at the family’s home in Jyväskylä. Until that time, at least, Mr Poikolainen lives alone in Satakunta during the week. The family will consider future living arrangements at a later date.

In his leisure time, the new President and CEO enjoys sports. His interest in exercise goes back a long way, which is why he went to upper secondary school in Voionmaan lukio in Jyväskylä, famous for its focus on sports. He also finds balance in nature and spends time working on his summer cottage in Karstula every year.

– I have been interested in athletics, in particular, from a very young age. Being able to one day coach medium or long distance runners is a personal dream.

Story by Timo Sillanpää
Photo by Petteri Kivimäki