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PKO’s governance and management

The governance model of the North Karelian Cooperative Society

The Northern Karelia Cooperative Society is owned by its co-op members. The highest decision-making authority of PKO’s owners, meaning its co-op members, is exercised by the Council of Representatives, which consists of 50 members. The members of the Council of Representatives are elected for four years at a time through an election among the co-op members. The term of office of the current Council of Representatives runs from 2024 to 2028. In accordance with the by-laws, the Council of Representatives meets twice a year. The Council of Representatives is convened by the Chair of the Supervisory Board, acting on behalf of the Supervisory Board. The most important matter at the spring meeting is to confirm the previous year's financial statements and, in connection with this, to decide on the use of the surplus; that is, the operating profit. The autumn meeting focuses on selections, as the Council of Representatives elects the members of PKO’s Supervisory Board and the auditors. OwnersMore than 112,000 co-op membersCouncil of Representatives50 membersSupervisory Board20 + 2 members, with one third stepping down annuallyExecutive Board1 + 5 membersManaging directorBusiness line managementGrocery tradeConsumer goods tradeFuels retail and service stationsTravel industry and hospitality businessService businessAdministration and support functionsIn PKO’s governance model, the highest authority is exercised by the Council of Representatives, elected from among the co-op members. This is followed by the Supervisory Board, the Executive Board and the Managing Director, who leads the Management Team (business area management). Administration and support functions assist the business area management.
The Management Team is responsible for operational businessThe Managing Director is assisted in the operational management of PKO by the Management Team. The meetings prepare matters to be decided by the Executive Board, for example, and manage issues related to investments, co-op membership, personnel, marketing and monthly results. The key task of the Management Team is to implement the decisions made by the Executive Board.

Managing Director and the Management Team

  • Juha Kivelä

    Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
    Phone: 010 762 2026 Email: juha.kivela@sok.fi

  • Henrik Härkönen

    Division Director, Retail
    phone: 010 762 2035 email: henrik.harkonen@sok.fi

  • Antti Pölönen

    Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
    phone: 010 762 2044 email: antti.polonen@sok.fi

  • Satu Näsärö

    Travel Division Director
    phone: 010 762 2036 email: satu.nasaro@sok.fi

  • Saija Viiliäinen

    Development Director
    phone: 010 762 2042 email: saija.viiliainen@sok.fi

  • Mika-Jussi Mononen

    HR Director
    phone: 010 762 2024 email: mika-jussi.mononen@sok.fi

  • Jani Lehikoinen

    Property Director
    phone: 010 762 2033 email: jani.lehikoinen@sok.fi

  • Petri Vähä

    Director of Communications and Sustainability
    phone: 010 762 2034 email: petri.vaha@sok.fi

PKO’s Executive Board

The Executive Board consists of the Managing Director and five members elected by the Supervisory Board for a calendar year at a time. In accordance with the by-laws, the Managing Director serves as Chair of the Executive Board. The Executive Board elects a Vice Chair from among its members for one calendar year at a time.The Executive Board convenes when necessary, but at least six times per year at the invitation of the Chair. The Executive Board is responsible for advancing the cooperative’s interests and managing its operations in line with the Cooperatives Act, PKO’s by-laws and the guidelines and decisions issued by the Council of Representatives and the Supervisory Board. The Executive Board decides on PKO’s operational strategies, overall objectives, annual financial and other objectives, and any necessary action plans. In addition, the Executive Board is responsible for making decisions on investments, the sale of assets, the appointment of management, HR policy and loans, among other matters.In addition to the members of the Executive Board, the Chair of the Supervisory Board, Head Lecturer Kim Wrange from Kontiolahti and Vice Chair of the Supervisory Board, Home Economics Lecturer Anu Tiippana from Joensuu participate in the meetings of the Executive Board.The Executive Board’s secretary is Antti Pölönen, Chief Financial Officer of PKO.

PKO's board 2025

  • Juha Kivelä

    Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
    Phone: 010 762 2026 Email: juha.kivela@sok.fi

  • Ilkka Herva

    CEO

  • Heidi Hämäläinen

    Regional Sales Director

  • Timo Partanen

    Technical Manager

  • Juho Pesonen

    Professor

  • Ari Punkkinen

    Director

PKO’s Supervisory Board

PKO’s Supervisory Board has 22 members, 20 of whom are elected by the Council of Representatives. The remaining two are representatives of the cooperative’s employees. The members of the Supervisory Board serve a three-year term, with one third stepping down each year. The Supervisory Board
  • Confirms the cooperative’s strategy
  • Supervises the operation of the cooperative society
  • Elects the members of the Executive Board and the Managing Director

Supervisory Board 2024:

Emilia Ihanus, social sciences student, Joensuu Emmi Kaalimaa, teacher, Kitee Pekka Kokkonen, farm entrepreneur, Juuka Merja Kortelainen, agricultural entrepreneur, Valtimo Sallamari Kurki, special education teacher, Ilomantsi Jenni Laasonen, service manager, Joensuu Pirkko Lehtinen, chief shop steward, Lieksa Satu Melkko, service supervisor, Liperi Kaija Parviainen, senior swimming hall employee, Kitee Samuli Pykäläinen, entrepreneur, Liperi Markku Pyykkönen, marketing director, Kontiolahti Salla Romo, pastor, Joensuu Asta Ryynänen, doctor, Lieksa Arto Sihvonen, director of education, Nurmes Janne Sinkkonen, machinery salesperson, Kontiolahti Leila Sirviö, entrepreneur, Outokumpu Ville Tahvanainen, MSc, competence development planner, Joensuu Anu Tiippana, lecturer in home economics, Joensuu (vice chair) Leena Timonen, administrative director, Nurmes Kirsi Tuononen, market manager, Kontiolahti Kim Wrange, principal lecturer, Kontiolahti (chair)