First female head of EK Finland. Minna Helle has been confirmed as the new Director General of the Confederation of Finnish Industries, often known locally as EK. The board approved her appointment following internal evaluations and she is expected to take full responsibility when Jyri Hakamies retires in May 2026.
The decision marks a historic shift in Finland’s business leadership. This is the first time a woman has led EK or any of its predecessor organizations. It signals a changing direction in corporate representation and national economic advocacy.
Helle currently serves as the Chief Executive of Technology Industries of Finland, a major federation within EK’s network. She stepped into that role in autumn 2024 after years of involvement in Finnish labor relations, public policy, and industry negotiations.
Helle’s professional journey began on the labor union side. She worked with the Finnish Confederation of Professionals, the Confederation of Unions for Professional and Managerial Staff, and the Union of Health and Social Care Professionals. Her early work included policy research, advocacy, and negotiations for employee rights across multiple sectors.
In 2015, she made history as the first female National Conciliator of Finland. Her role focused on resolving labor disputes during a period of increasing tension between unions and employer groups. She left the position in 2018 to join the employers’ side as Director of Labour Market Affairs at Technology Industries. The move drew criticism from some union representatives who questioned her neutrality while serving as conciliator, although no formal findings supported those claims.
By 2021, she had been promoted to Deputy CEO of Technology Industries and later assumed the top position in 2024.
Born in 1972 in Kivijarvi in Central Finland, Helle holds a Master of Laws degree completed in 1997. Her studies took place during Finland’s slow economic recovery after the early 1990s recession.
EK Chair Aaro Cantell stated that the decision to appoint Helle was unanimous. He highlighted her experience in policy cooperation, advocacy, and internal decision making. He also noted that she brings a clear understanding of economic renewal, growth, and long term competitiveness.
Helle responded that successful companies form the foundation of Finland’s national welfare. She noted that EK must support entrepreneurship, strengthen market economy values, and guide Finland through global economic shifts. She said she will enter the position with energy and commitment while working closely with member federations.
EK has played a leading role in recent changes to collective bargaining and industrial relations. Policy areas include export driven wage models, broader local bargaining rules, limits on solidarity strikes, and reforms to earnings related unemployment benefits. These discussions are expected to continue under Helle’s leadership.
Helle’s predecessor Jyri Hakamies has led EK since 2012. His yearly pay for 2023 totalled EUR 415905. Helle earned EUR 320000 last year at Technology Industries. Final compensation for her new role has not yet been disclosed publicly.
The selection process included four final candidates reviewed by EK’s working committee. Public speculation had included political and corporate names, including former Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen and Nokia executive Mikko Hautala, both of whom ruled themselves out in late 2025.
This appointment is expected to influence future labor negotiations, employer cooperation, investment decisions, and the direction of Finland’s private sector. Helle’s appointment is viewed by industry observers as both symbolic and practical. It opens new space for gender representation while placing a seasoned negotiator at the center of national economic policy.
