Valio is undergoing leadership changes both in Sweden and at group level in Finland.
After almost six years as Managing Director of Valio Sweden, Robert Auselius has decided to leave the company to pursue new opportunities outside the business. During his tenure, Valio Sweden doubled its turnover and increased its market share.
In a LinkedIn post, Valio Sweden highlighted several achievements under Auselius’ leadership, including strengthening the Valio brand among consumers and as an employer, making significant progress in sustainability through the introduction of fossil-free truck and ferry transport solutions, and being named both Career Company of the Year and Supplier of the Year in Sweden. Robert Auselius leaves in august 2026.
As part of the changes in the Swedish management team, Valio Sweden also welcomed Gerda Sigurjónsdóttir as its new HR Director in May. She has joined the company’s management team.
Group CEO to retire
Valio’s headquarters in Finland announced on 8 June that long-serving Chief Executive Officer Annikka Hurme will retire at the end of 2026. The company’s Board of Directors has appointed Matti Lehmus as Valio’s new CEO with effect from 1 January 2027. Hurme will remain in her current role until the end of next year to ensure a smooth transition.
Hurme joined Valio in 1989 and has held a range of specialist and leadership positions before becoming CEO in 2014.
Lehmus brings extensive leadership experience from Finnish energy company Neste, where he held several senior positions, including President and CEO from 2022 to 2024. He also serves on the board of directors of Kemira.