Patria appoints new President and CEO – Panu Routila appointed as new President and CEO
Panu Routila, 61, M.Sc. (Econ.), DBA, has been appointed as the new President and CEO of Patria Oyj. Routila served as the Chairman of Patria’s Board of Directors from 2020 to 2026.
Patria’s long-serving CEO Esa Rautalinko and the company’s Board of Directors have jointly agreed that Rautalinko will conclude his term as President and CEO. The decision is based on a shared view of the company’s next phase of development as well as Rautalinko’s personal plans for the future.
Routila will assume the role of Patria’s President and CEO immediately.
“Patria is a growth company at an exciting stage. I look forward to further strengthening our growth capabilities together with the entire management team across all three business areas. Patria sees the rapid change in technology as both a challenge and, in particular, an opportunity to develop its own business. We are at the forefront of technology and innovation in addition to a more traditional product offering. Patria has a strong, growing order book, and we are now ensuring its delivery capacity and growth. I strongly believe that Patria can, for its part, act as a driver of growth for all of Finland, in addition to the company having a significant international growth potential,” says President and CEO Panu Routila.
“I am very pleased that Patria is gaining such an experienced growth leader with extensive expertise in international industry. Routila’s deep knowledge of Patria ensures continuity in the company’s strategic direction as it moves into its next phase. The company is strongly committed to growth, profitability, and customer satisfaction. Defence technology is advancing by leaps and bounds. It is important that Patria is at the forefront of this development to ensure future growth,” says Jyri Häkämies, Chairman of the Board.
During his career, Routila has served as President and CEO of Konecranes and Ahlström Capital, among other roles, leading business operations in a global operating environment in Europe and the United States.
Esa Rautalinko, who served as Patria’s CEO for seven years and previously as the company’s Chairman of the Board, will remain in an advisory role to the leadership for six months to ensure a smooth transition. In his new role, he will remain available to both the Board of Directors and the management. He will also be available to continue as Chairman of the Board for the Finnish Defense and Aerospace Industries (PIA).
Rautalinko’s future plans have been known to the company’s Board of Directors. The company’s outstanding success in recent years, as well as the Group’s operational restructuring carried out last summer to support the updated strategy, provide an opportunity to implement the planned transition now.
“Patria represents the forefront of Finnish industrial and engineering expertise in the critical defense industry sector. It has been an immense privilege to lead the company and drive its development further. After the successful year of 2025, I will hand over the reins to Panu with peace of mind,” says Esa Rautalinko.
“The Board of Directors would like to thank Esa Rautalinko for his long-term and dedicated work toward Patria’s success. Under Rautalinko’s leadership, Patria has become more international, and the company’s business has grown significantly to a new scale,” says Jyri Häkämies.
Patria’s Board of Directors conducted a search for a successor after learning of Rautalinko’s future plans and, in January, initiated a standard recruitment process with the help of an executive search consultant. During the process, which lasted several months, Routila was identified as a potential successor. At that point, Routila recused himself from the process, and Board member Jukka Juusti took over its leadership.
Routila clearly stood out from the other candidates due to his experience and knowledge of Patria. His appointment was confirmed by Patria’s new Board of Directors led by Jyri Häkämies.
Media inquiries, interview requests for Panu Routila, and further information:
Patria Group Communications: [email protected]
Sirje Ahvenlampi-Hyvönen, Patria’s Vice President, Communications, tel. +358 50 557 3822, [email protected]
Patria is a modern and international defence and technology company with over 100 years of experience. Through our top-notch experts and Protected Mobility, Defence and Weapon Systems and Sustainment Solutions business areas, we ensure reliable operations for our customers and serve as a partner in critical functions on land, sea and air – when if is not an option. Patria’s operating countries include Finland, Sweden, Norway, Latvia, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Slovakia and Japan.
Patria is owned by the State of Finland (50.1%) and Norwegian Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS (49.9%). Patria owns 50% of Nammo, and together these three companies form a leading Nordic defence partnership.
www.patriagroup.com
