Minna Arve, who is stepping down as Mayor of Turku, has been appointed CEO of Business Turku Ltd. The position has been vacant since the beginning of April.
The board saw an opportunity when it became clear after the elections that Arve would not continue as mayor. Her broad experience was considered valuable for the company to support the growth and internationalisation of businesses in the region. The final appointment still requires consideration by the City of Turku’s Group Division Committee, which will review the owner’s preliminary stance on the CEO selection on 12 May 2025.
– Minna did not apply for this position—we approached her. We are very pleased that she is willing to take on this challenge. With eight years in the city’s top leadership and already strong engagement with the local business landscape, she brings the necessary expertise and energy to this role," says Matti Rihko, a member of the board of Business Turku Ltd.
Minna Arve herself is enthusiastic about the opportunity.
– As I’ve said before, Turku means more to me than just elections. The success of Turku is my passion, and I want to continue using my expertise and networks to benefit the city and the entire region. Supporting business growth, attracting companies to the area, and fostering new startups are critical components of that success. The region’s industries are nationally significant and, at the same time, very unique. Strengthening and advocating for these sectors—like the pharmaceutical and maritime industries—on both the national and EU level is essential. We also need top-level European and international expertise, which has a lot of potential in a world seeking new direction. My international networks can bring new competitive advantages to the entire Turku region.
– Collaboration with local municipalities, higher education institutions, the business sector, and companies is a prerequisite for regional success. This cooperation has always felt natural to me, and I will focus on it even more strongly. Internationalisation will also be more prominent in this work. In addition to my networks, my new role on the advisory board of Kemmy Business School will further support this focus on internationalisation, Arve states.
Business Turku Ltd’s responsibilities include developing and enhancing regional research, development, and innovation activities, attracting investments, and promoting internationalisation and exports for companies.
– Having Minna as CEO will elevate Business Turku’s visibility to an entirely new level. Her extensive national and international networks, combined with her understanding of business and its needs, are ideal assets for this demanding role and will bring added value to the Turku region quickly. After all, before becoming Mayor and City Leader, Minna served as the Managing Director of the Turku Chamber of Commerce, adds Panu Routila, another board member of Business Turku Ltd.