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Otso Ikonen has been appointed Senior Vice President, Maintenance, and a member of VR Group’s Management Team

19. May 2022 News and current issues Press releases

Otso Ikonen has been appointed CEO of VR FleetCare, responsible for the maintenance of rolling stock, and a member of VR Group's Management Team. He will take up his new role no later than by 15 August 2022.

Otso Ikonen has an extensive and international experience in the industrial sector. Ikonen will move to VR FleetCare from the position of CEO of Wexon Oy, an expert in technical components. Earlier in his career, Ikonen worked for ABB for more than 20 years in a number of roles, most recently as head of ABB's Large Motors and Generators business globally. He also has experience in leading large production units and in various management positions in sales, projects and procurement.

“In addition to profitable implementation of VR FleetCare's growth strategy, the goal is to invest in increasing competitiveness. Ikonen's strong experience in customer relationship management and change management in the industrial operating environment will also support the promotion of cultural change and the introduction of new modern operating models at VR FleetCare. We warmly welcome Otso Ikonen to our company,” says Topi Simola, acting CEO of VR Group.

“I am excited and impressed by the opportunity to start in my new role at VR FleetCare. The implementation of the green transition through a rail sector enjoying a tailwind and through proactive maintenance is a task in line with my values. I look forward to getting to know VR FleetCare's staff, developing operations and creating added value for our customers together. I believe that I will bring to VR strong industrial expertise, people-centric leadership, and energy for the implementation of the joint growth strategy,” says Otso Ikonen, the new CEO of VR FleetCare.

Kimmo Soini, the current CEO of VR FleetCare, will retire on 1 September 2022.

“Kimmo Soini has successfully piloted VR FleetCare for almost a decade. I would like to thank Kimmo for his commitment and wish him a happy retirement,” says Simola.