At its annual meeting on 27 April 2023, the Board of the Finnish Institute in the UK and Ireland appointed Strategy Advisor Malin Groop as its new Chair. Groop is an entrepreneur and holds a master’s degree in Economics.

“In this hazy world, I believe arts and culture play an important role in bringing people together. I’m excited to join the board and build further on the great work Tommi Laitio and the team have done,” says Groop. 

Professionally she has a particular passion: helping Nordic leaders and their teams drive purposeful business. “The sweet spot at the intersection of bold creativity and rigorous strategy is my happy place. Having helped many iconic Nordic brands through large-scale  transformations, I know how to navigate big challenges and spot opportunities companies are facing as they grow. I have travelled and worked on international assignments throughout my career across the Nordics, Europe, Japan and the USA,” Groop states.

Departing Chair Tommi Laitio has been involved in the Foundation’s Board for 9 years.

“It has been a great pleasure to help enable bold cultural work between the three countries. In recent years, the Institute has increased the proportion of its budget allocated to programming, changed its name from the Finnish Institute in London to Finnish Institute in the UK and Ireland to communicate our broad remit, increased the number of collaborative projects and open calls, made fostering equity a priority, and increased cooperation, particularly between Finland and Scotland. I thank our directors, staff and fellow board members for a joyful, arts-driven and engaging time and wish them courage for the future,” concludes Laitio. 

The Institute warmly thanks Tommi Laitio and is delighted to welcome Malin Groop. 

Leif Jakobsson, Mari K. Niemi, Marianne Saarikko Janson, Jeremiah Tesolin and Rebecca Walton will continue as members of the Foundation’s Board.

Photo: Leif Jakobsson