The Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is responsible for the governance of Summa Defence and the appropriate organisation of Summa Defence operations in accordance with applicable legislation, the Articles of Association and any instructions issued by the General Meeting of Shareholders. In addition to its statutory duties, the Board’s principal duty is to make decisions on the Group’s strategic focus and objectives as well as principles of risk management, to monitor and steer the Group’s business operations, to ensure that the Group complies with legal provisions applicable to its operations and conducts business in a commercially sustainable manner, providing added value to its shareholders. The Board also makes decisions on the Group’s key operating principles, approves annually the Group’s financial targets and operational objectives, as well as its financial statement and any interim reports, and decides on material investments of the Group.

The Board of Directors ensures that the company has established the ethical and corporate values applied to its operation as well as the operational principles and monitors compliance with these values and principles. The Board also approves the general setup of the Group’s organizational and operational structure. The duty of the Board of Directors is to promote the best interest of the company and all its shareholders. A directors does not represent the interests of the parties who have proposed his or her election as a director.

The Board of Directors has set up a Nomination and Compensation Committee as well as an Audit Committee to take charge of certain specific tasks of the Board of Directors.

The Nomination and Compensation Committee

The Nomination and Compensation Committee consists of three (3) members, all of whom are non-company and non-executive directors. The members have experience and skills in the areas of knowledge that fall within the scope of the Nomination and Compensation Committee duties as the Charter of the Committee. It prepares the Group’s and the management’s payroll structures as well as any bonus and incentive systems. It also approves key appointments and nominations.

The Audit Committee

The Audit Committee consists of three (3) members, all of whom are non-company and non-executive directors. The members have experience and skills in the areas of knowledge that fall within the scope of the Audit Committee duties as per the Charter of the Audit Committee. Its responsibility is to monitor e.g. implementation of the Group’s internal controls, risk management, financial reporting and it is responsible for supervising the Group’s ethics and compliance (including specifically anti-corruption and anti-bribery related actions) program and activities.

the Board of Directors

Markku Kankaala

Chairman of the Board, Summa Defence Ltd.
Founder
markku.kankaala@summadefence.com

Entrepreneur, Engineer, Mechanical and Metal Engineering

Key work experience:

Founder of the listed company Afarak Group Oyj (former Ruukki Group) and a long-term Board member 1993-2017.
Chairman of the Board of Enersense International Oyj in 2020.
Chairman of the Board of NYAB Oyj 2021-2023
Chairman of the Board of Wetteri Oyj since 5/22.
Managing director and chairman of the Board of family company PM Ruukki Oy.

Current positions of trust:

Wetteri Plc, Chair of the Board and Audit Committee Member 9.12.2022–
NYAB Abp, Vice chair of the Board 2023–
PM Ruukki Oy, Chair of the Board 2006–
Toppilan Möljä Oy, Board Member 2020–
LP Management Oy, Chair of the Board 2020–
Lake Saimaa Steamship Corporation, Chair of the Board 2019–
Suomen Aktiiviomistus Oy, Chair of the Board 2017–
SA Kankaala Oy, Chair of the Board 2016–
Tasku Invest Oy, Board Member 2015–
Meriankkuri Oy, Chair of the Board 2005–

Samuli Koskela

Board Member, Summa Defence Ltd.
Founder
samuli.koskela@summadefence.com

Board Member, Entrepreneur

Samuli Koskela is a seasoned Legal Counsel and Business Transactions Professional with a specialization in mergers and acquisitions, growth strategies, and strategy implementation, backed by over twenty years of experience. His extensive career encompasses significant roles as both a legal practitioner and an executive, notably serving as a partner and CEO at Lexia Attorneys Ltd. With a proven record of managing MA processes and spearheading strategic growth initiatives across diverse sectors, Samuli has demonstrated proficiency in providing advisory services to a wide range of companies, from private enterprises to publicly listed corporations.

Martti Haapala

Board Member, Summa Defence Ltd.
martti.haapala@summadefence.com

Board Member, Entrepreneur

Originally from Pudasjärvi in North Ostrobothnia, Martti Haapala is an entrepreneur with over 40 years of experience, including 30 years in international business. He was the founder and owner of Profin Oy until 2012 and is currently the principal owner of the investment company, Proup Oy. He has served as a board member for SkartaNYAB Oyj from July 2021 to April 2022, and Wetteri Oyj since May 2022. He has held board positions in over 25 companies. Martti also operates as a significant real estate developer and investor.

Websites:

Arto Räty

Board Member, Summa Defence Ltd.
arto.raty@summadefence.com

Senior Advisor, Board Professional, LTG (res).

Experienced leader on a mission to help companies understand the unprecedented changes in their operating environment. For close to six years was a member of Fortum’s Executive Management Team; leading the publicly listed company’s Public Affairs, Communications, Brand, Sustainability and Security. Today a Board professional and Advisor.
The Chairman of the Board of East Railways Oy (Itärata Oy), Board Member of Auris Energy, Etelä-Savon Energia, Outokummun Energia and Aila Earth and member of the Mil Advisory Board of MILDEF (SE) and member of Infrastructure Senior Advisory Panel abrdn Private Equity Fund (Europe). Also a Senior Advisor at Miltton.

Built career in the military (LTG) with also nine years of service in the Ministry of Defence. The last five years in the Defence sector served as the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence and the Chairman of the National Security Committee.

Strengths include leadership, strategic planning and creating a comprehensive situational awareness. Have an extensive national and an international network, based on previous positions home and abroad and experience in crisis management operations. Have established many of contacts also through support to the Defence and Security Industry in their export efforts around the world and through speaking engagements in Leadership, Security Policy, Crisis Management and Cyber Security in numerous international seminars around the world.