Industry – July 6, 2026
Finnforel: appoints new CEO as land-based salmon ambitions grow
Finnforel has appointed Mikko Karell as its new chief executive with immediate effect, as the Finnish land-based salmon producer shifts its focus from building production capacity to commercial expansion.
Karell brings more than 25 years’ experience in international food and consumer businesses. According to the company, he has led growth companies, overseen business transformations and launched new food brands, with expertise spanning commercialisation, international expansion and sustainable food production.
The appointment comes as Finnforel enters what it described as the next stage of its development.
Over recent years the company has established an integrated production chain combining smolt production at Hatsina with recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) grow-out operations in Varkaus. Finnforel said improvements in biological performance, production quality and operational reliability have laid the foundation for its next phase of growth.
The company said its priorities will now shift towards accelerating commercial growth, expanding into international markets and replicating its production model in new locations.
“Our next phase is to build stronger customer- and market-driven growth,” Karell said. “At the same time, we will lay the foundations for international expansion and exporting Finnish RAS expertise to new markets.”
Chairman Kalle Ruuskanen said the company required a leader with experience across consumer markets, retail, international business and the food industry to support its next stage of development.
Former CEO Nora Hortling, who stepped down two months ago before beginning maternity leave, reflected on her tenure in a LinkedIn post following the announcement.
“The journey as CEO at Finnforel was exciting, educating but also very intensive,” Hortling wrote. “While we faced many struggles we were also able to develop and improve many aspects of the business and I believe Finnforel has all the prerequisites to succeed in its mission.”
