Jussi Pesonen

Jussi Pesonen (born November 24, 1960, in Helsinki) was the president and chief executive officer of the Finnish pulp, paper and timber company UPM 2004-2023.

General
Pesonen (born 1960) was the president and chief executive officer of UPM-Kymmene – one of the world's largest leading forest industry companies.

Under Pesonen's leadership, the company took strong and decisive measures to reposition itself for the challenges of the new business environment facing forest product companies. This meant launching major programs for achieving higher levels of efficiency and productivity, expanding UPM's operations outside its traditional European home market, and strengthening its position in self-adhesive labels, pulp, energy related businesses.

In addition, UPM developed new businesses and products based on renewable materials including wood-based renewable diesel and biochemicals as well as wood-based biomedical products leading the company's transformation towards the future beyond fossils.

In recognition of the company strategy, UPM has received several top recognitions for its sustainability performance including Dow Jones Sustainability Index, MSCI's and CDP's Leadership ratings.

Curriculum vitae
Jussi Pesonen was president and CEO of UPM 2004-2023. Prior to his appointment he also served as COO of UPM Paper Divisions and deputy to the president and CEO from 2001 to 2004. He held several senior management positions in UPM Paper Divisions including vice president of the Newsprint Product Group 1987–2001. Pesonen joined UPM in 1987 as a production engineer and worked in Jämsänkoski, Kajaani, Kaukas and Shotton mills. Pesonen has a Master of Science degree in engineering in process technology from the University of Oulu, Finland.

Mr. Pesonen exercised his right to retire from UPM from the beginning of 2024.

Positions of responsibility
Pesonen was a Board member of the Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI). Earlier, Mr Pesonen has chaired the Board of the Finnish Forest Industries (FIFF) 2006–2008 and 2014–2017, the Board of Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance Company in 2012–2015, the Board of the Finland Chamber of Commerce and ICC Finland in 2017–2021 and co-chaired the Forest Solutions Group (FSG) in Word Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) in 2014–2015. He has also been a board member of Outokumpu Ltd 2009–2012.