Dealmakers Dialogues in Helsinki: Will Nordics M&A momentum continue in 2022?

Aleksi Airas has worked in different lawyer positions at Fortum since 2011 and currently heads the legal function of Corporate M&A. Airas has been involved in all major transactions of Fortum since 2014.

Fortum and Uniper form a European energy group committed to enabling a successful transition to carbon neutrality for everyone. Our 50 gigawatts of power generating capacity, substantial gas import and storage operations, and our global energy trading business enable us to provide Europe and other regions with a reliable supply of low-carbon energy. We are already Europe’s third largest producer of CO2 -free electricity, and our growth businesses focus on clean power, low-carbon energy, and the infrastructure for tomorrow’s hydrogen economy. In addition, we design solutions that help companies and cities reduce their environmental footprint. Our 20,000 professionals and operations in 40 countries give us the skills, resources, and reach to empower the energy evolution toward a cleaner world.

Mikael Laine has served as Senior Vice President, Strategy with Cargotec since 2014. He is a member of Cargotec Leadership team. Since 2016 he has also acted simultaneously as a member of the Board of Directors of Aspo Plc.  Prior to his current role, Mr Laine has acted as President and the CEO of Moventas Group between 2012 and 2013, Senior Vice President in Business Development and Corporate Functions of Moventas Group between 2008 and 2012 and the CEO of YAP Solutions Oy between 2005 and 2008. In addition, Mr Laine has worked as CFO, Senior Vice President and deputy CEO of TeliaSonera Finland between 2003 and 2005, in various positions in Sonera Oyj between 1996 and 2002, and as CFO of Oy Mikrolog Ltd between 1995 and 1996. Mr Laine holds the degree of Master of Science in Economics. He is a Finnish citizen.

Salla Tuominen’s practice includes capital markets, public takeovers and other domestic and cross-border M&A transactions involving both public and private corporations. She is also experienced in advising on, and negotiating venture capital and private equity transactions. She actively participates in startup ecosystem and advises both startup companies and investors. Salla also has experience of a wide variety of banking and finance work and financial regulatory issues.

Salla has in-depth knowledge of corporate governance and compliance. She is experienced in advising clients in various ESG matters such as, business and human rights. Salla represents our Nordic offices in DLA Piper's Sustainability and Environmental, Social and Governance steering group. She is also Helsinki office's responsible pro bono partner and representative of Iris, DLA Piper’s LGBT+ network. 

Salla acts as the corporate secretary in a leading MarTech service provider, Avidly Plc, operating in the Nordic countries and listed on Nasdaq First North Growth Market Finland, operated by Nasdaq Helsinki.

Rosie Corcoran began her career at Datasite in 2015 as an account manager in New York. Since then, she has progressed to become VP of Sales for the UK, Ireland, and Middle East, and now oversees the Nordic region as VP of Sales, where she recently led the expansion of the team and the opening of a new office in Stockholm to provide on-the-ground support to local customers.

She holds a B.S. in Foreign Service, International Business/Development from Georgetown University.

Juho Puhakainen is the Head of Corporate Finance for SEB in Finland and his team provides financial advisory services in connection to M&A and ECM transactions. Since joining SEB’s Corporate Finance in 2011 from the European Investment Bank (EIB), Juho has also held the position of Head of Real Estate Coverage in 2017-2020 for SEB in Finland after which he rejoined the Corporate Finance team as Managing Director.

SEB is a leading northern European financial services group with a strong belief that entrepreneurial minds and innovative companies are key in creating a better world. We take a long-term perspective and support our customers in good times and bad. In Sweden and the Baltic countries, SEB offers financial advice and a wide range of financial services. In Denmark, Finland, Norway, Germany and the United Kingdom, the bank's operations have a strong focus on corporate and investment banking based on a full-service offering to corporate and institutional clients. The international nature of SEB's business is reflected in our presence in more than 20 countries worldwide, with around 15,500 employees.

A former Dow Jones staffer, Elizabeth has been a financial journalist for more than 15 years. At Dow Jones, she covered the asset management, investment banking and investor services beats for Financial News, where she also wrote on a wide range of regulatory themes. She was previously the European Editor for CIO Magazine and boasts an exceptional contact book of buy-side and in-house institutional CIOs, and asset management executives. Her recent work includes corporate commissions for banks, asset managers and consultants, along with directing and hosting a range of international events.