Wärtsilä has announced that Kari Hietanen, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Sustainability, will retire in spring 2026. Hietanen, who joined the company in 1989, has held several leadership roles over his 37-year career. He will step down from Wärtsilä’s Board of Management at the end of this year.
From 1 January 2026, his responsibilities will be divided among other board members. Nora Steiner-Forsberg will take over Public Affairs and Sustainability, Arjen Berends will assume Cyber Security, and Teija Sarajärvi will lead Safety and Corporate Security.
President and CEO Håkan Agnevall praised Hietanen’s contributions, highlighting his role in shaping Wärtsilä’s decarbonisation strategy and long-standing leadership in legal, sustainability, and public affairs.
Hietanen reflected on his time with the company, saying it offered him opportunities to grow and contribute to the decarbonisation of global energy and marine sectors. He also credited Wärtsilä’s strong values and culture for making the journey rewarding.
Following his retirement, Wärtsilä’s Board of Management will include Agnevall, Berends, Tamara de Gruyter, Roger Holm, Anders Lindberg, Sarajärvi, Anu Sirkiä, and Steiner-Forsberg.
