Mr. Esko Aho

Executive Vice-President of Nokia Corporation


Finland

Esko Aho heads Nokia's government and public affairs function and oversees the company’s global policies and activities regarding sustainable development and social responsibility. He has been a member of the Group Executive Board since 2009 and was appointed to his current position in 2008. He reports to the CEO. 

Before joining Nokia in 2008, Esko enjoyed a long and distinguished career in government service. He was Prime Minister of Finland from 1991 to 1995. After the presidential campaign in 2000, he joined Harvard University as a lecturer and, following his retirement from the Finnish Parliament, he worked as a consultant. 

He was elected to Parliament in 1983 and served on several key committees. He also served on the Nordic Council and the Finnish Delegation to the Council of Europe, is a former Vice Chairman of Liberal International, and a former Chairman of the Finnish Ski Association. In addition, Esko is a former Vice Chairman of the Finnish Olympic Committee, and a former President of the Finnish Innovation Fund, SITRA. 

Currently, he is a member of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) World Council and Vice Chair of ICC Finland, as well as a board member of the Technology Academy Finland.

He also serves as a board member of Fortum Corporation and is Vice Chairman of the board of Technology Industries of Finland. Esko is an invited member of the Club de Madrid, an independent organisation of former heads of state and government dedicated to strengthening democracy, and the InterAction Council, an organisation of former heads of state and government that seeks solutions to the economical, political and social problems confronting society.

He holds a Master’s in social science from the University of Helsinki. 

Esko was born on May 20, 1954, in Veteli, Finland. In his spare time, he enjoys literature and golf.