---
title: "Annikka Hurme to retire at the end of the year – Matti Lehmus appointed CEO of Valio as of 1 January 2027"
date: 2026-06-08
author: "Kristiina Klemetti"
featured_image: "https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2026/06/Valio_Matti_Lehmus_01062026_0056.jpg"
---

# Annikka Hurme to retire at the end of the year – Matti Lehmus appointed CEO of Valio as of 1 January 2027

**Annikka Hurme** has worked at Valio since 1989 in a variety of expert and management roles and has served as the company’s CEO since 2014.

“Annikka Hurme has had a long and distinguished career in the Finnish food industry. She has played a key role in driving Valio’s growth, improving profitability, and advancing its strategy. With determined focus, she has helped turn Valio into a leading force in Finnish food exports and to expand beyond its core business to become a leading producer of plant-based products, enter the biogas business, and expand into the wholesale sector. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Annikka for her contribution to Valio’s future. Under her leadership, we have successfully transformed and renewed our business while building a strong foundation for the years ahead,” says **Vesa Kaunisto**, Chair of Valio’s Board of Directors.

**Matti Lehmus** has held several key leadership positions during his long career at Neste, including serving as the company’s President and CEO from 2022 to 2024. He currently also serves on Kemira’s Board of Directors.

“Matti Lehmus is an experienced leader with a strong track record of developing and growing businesses both in Finland and internationally. His extensive experience in leading several global growth projects was a significant factor in the selection process. Valio’s strategy emphasizes international expansion, strengthening growth brands, accelerating new businesses and building new capabilities in a rapidly changing operating environment. Valio’s Board of Directors is convinced that Matti’s strategic expertise and strong leadership will support the achievement of our goals. Under his leadership, we have excellent opportunities to continue developing Valio for the benefit of our owners, Finnish dairy farmers,” Vesa Kaunisto states.

“It is a great opportunity to lead Valio, which has a unique role in the Finnish food industry. Valio has a strong foundation: skilled employees, respected brands and the ability to develop new products. I look forward to working with Valio employees to create long-term growth and strengthen competitiveness in a changing operating environment, as well as to the opportunity to apply my experience in a new industry,” Matti Lehmus says.

“It has been a great honour to be part of this continuum in the service of the iconic Valio. The company has always evolved with the times and led the way for the entire industry. I am pleased to pass the baton to my successor at the turn of the year and look forward to following the next chapter of Valio’s success story,” says CEO Annikka Hurme.

Matti Lehmus’s [CV and photograph](https://www.valio.fi/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/https://cdn-wp.valio.fi/valio-wp-network/2026/06/Matti-Lehmus_CV_EN.jpg).