Kari Salminen to Become Walki’s New CEO in 2027
News General news
Effective January 1, 2027, Kari Salminen will assume the role of President and CEO of the Walki Group. Salminen is currently Deputy CEO and Executive Vice President of the Packaging Materials business unit at Walki.
Leif Frilund, the Finnish group’s long-time President and CEO, has decided to retire at the end of 2026. To ensure a smooth transition over the coming year, Salminen will work closely with Frilund in his role as Deputy CEO during the fourth quarter of 2026, according to a press release.
In addition, as part of the leadership transition, Timo Saahko will be appointed Executive Vice President, Packaging Materials, effective October 1, 2026. Saahko is currently Managing Director of Mölnlycke Health Care Oy. He has extensive experience from previous roles at Walki, where he held various positions in Germany, the United Kingdom, China, Finland, and Poland.
