Orion Corporation’s Board of Directors has appointed Liisa Hurme as President and CEO of Orion Corporation and the Chair of the Executive Management Board of the Orion Group as of 1 November 2022, until which her predecessor Timo Lappalainen will hold the position.
“We began an international recruitment process for a new CEO immediately after Lappalainen’s announcement last autumn and have carefully evaluated both external and internal candidates for the position. Liisa Hurme is an excellent choice for the President and CEO of Orion. She combines strong expertise in Orion’s businesses with the capability to advance Orion’s strategic development and possesses a solution-oriented and humane leadership style. In addition, thanks to her previous international appointments in the pharmaceutical industry and life sciences as well as her educational background in the natural sciences, Liisa has a deep understanding of the research and development environment that is important to the pharmaceutical industry,” says Orion’s Chairman of the Board of Directors Mikael Silvennoinen.
Liisa Hurme
Liisa Hurme holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry. Hurme has had a long career at Orion since 1999 in numerous management positions and she has been a member of the Executive Management Board since 2008. She currently serves as Senior Vice President of Global Operations and as Chairman of the Board of Fermion Oy, a subsidiary of Orion. Hurme led the Proprietary Products business in 2008-2014 and Specialty Products in 2014-2018.
“I am excited about the possibility to steer Orion to further growth and thank the Board of Directors for their trust in me. I believe that in my new position I will be able to utilize my expertise, global networks, and the broad experience I have gained in various positions at Orion. I will do my best, together with the dedicated and skilled Orion personnel, to keep us on the path on which Orion has been successful for over 100 years,” states Hurme.
Timo Lappalainen will retire
President and CEO of Orion Corporation Timo Lappalainen will leave his position as a member and chairman of the Executive Management Board of the Orion Group when the new President and CEO takes office, i.e., on 1 November 2022. Lappalainen will remain at the disposal of the Board of Directors as an advisor until the end of March 2023, after which he will retire.
“My time at Orion has been especially great thanks to the wonderful Orion staff I have had the opportunity to work with. It has also been rewarding to witness innovations in our research and development, the latest of which – darolutamide – increases the quality of life of many prostate cancer patients. Our mission to build well-being has motivated me in many positions throughout my Orion years. I am convinced that due to Liisa Hurme’s broad expertise and experience, she has an excellent opportunity to succeed in the growth strategy work that we have developed together as colleagues. I wish Liisa all the best in her future role,” says Timo Lappalainen.
Photo of Liisa Hurme: Orion Corporation
