Consultative Committees

We wish to promote open societal interaction, develop more customer oriented operations and listen to our customers. Five consultative committees support these goals: the consultative committees for pension affairs, the insured, self-employed persons, employers and pensioners. The objective is to improve co-operation and communication between us, entrepreneurs, pensioners, labour market organisations as well as employees insured by Varma and employers. The term of office for the consultative committees is three years.

Consultative Committee of the Pension Affairs

The Consultative Committee of the Pension Affairs is a co-operative body between Varma and the labour market organisations. Its function is to make recommendations to the company regarding disability pensions. The members are appointed by the Board of Directors.

Chair: Jyrki Rasi, Director, Rehabilitation and Disability Pension Services, Varma
Deputy Chair: Jan Schugk, Senior Physician, Varma
Paula Ilveskivi, Senior Legal Adviser, The Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions SAK
Juhani Siira, Union Secretary, Finnish Paperworkers’ Union
Ida Nummelin, Senior Adviser, Social and Health Policy, Finnish Confederation of Salaried Employees STTK
Teemu Hankamäki, Negotiations Director, Academic Engineers and Architects in Finland TEK
Piia Alvesalo, Communications Manager, Finnish Education Employers
Mikko Räsänen, Advisor, Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK)

Also Varma's Seppo Varmavuo, participates in the meetings of the consultative committee.

Consultative Committee of the Insured

The Consultative Committee of the Insured furthers co-operation between Varma and the insured (TyEL). The committee provides important information on the working conditions in companies and any changes occurring in them which affect the management of employees’ pension matters.

Varma communicates up-to-date information concerning earnings-related and entrepreneurial pension insurance to the consultative committee. Varma’s Board of Directors appoints the members based on proposals by central employee organisations.

Representatives of the Confederation of Unions for Academic Professionals in Finland, Akava


Jarmo Hyvärinen, Nordea Bank Abp
Keijo Hyvärinen, Elisa Corporation
Matti Kirsi, Stora Enso Oyj
Marko Klapuri, Metso Outotec Finland Oy
Pasi Lähde, Wärtsilä Finland Oy
Timo Veijola, Nokia Solutions and Network Oy

Representatives of the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions, SAK


Jukka Hämäläinen, Jyväskylän Liikenne Oy
Marjo Korhonen, Tokmanni Oy
Juha Manni, Honkarakenne Oyj
Samuli Miettinen, Sokotel Oy
Toni Nokkala, VR-Group Ltd
Riikka Peltonen, Metsä Tissue Oyj
Mika Sui, ABB Oy Motors and Generators Vaasa
Pentti Suni, Stora Enso Oyj
Mari Söderberg, Tikkurila Oyj
Mika Tanskanen, Ovako Imatra Oy Ab
Tero Tiainen, Abloy Oy Joensuun tehdas
Ville Vatka, HK Ruokatalo Oy

Representatives of the Finnish Confederation of Salaried Employees, STTK


Tarja Furuholm , Nordea Bank Oyj
Heikki Helynen, Steveco Oy, chairman
Aino Huuhti, Danske Bank A/S, Finland Branch
Timo Jaakkola, NCC Rakennus Oy
Juha Kivistö, Elisa Corporation
Merja Koistinen, If P&C Insurance Ltd (publ), branch in Finland
Hannu Kuusikko, Instru Optiikka Oy
Satu Oravuo, Ovako Imatra Oy Ab
Osmo Salo, Meyer Turku Oy
Sanna Virtala, Mehiläinen Oy

Consultative Committee of Self-employed Persons

The Consultative Committee of Self-employed Persons participates in developing services for entrepreneurs.

Joonas Ahola, Meeting Package
Aulis Asikainen, Comatec Group
Michael Casagrande, Cleanside Oy
Petra Erätuli-Kola, Mindsup Ltd
Suvi Haimi, Sulapac Ltd
Mervi Harkka, Turun Lukko Oy
Juha Hietarinta, LST Group Oy
Antti Innanen, Dot. Legal Ltd
Jari Kokkonen, Pasilan Apteekki
Antti Korsisaari, Korsisaari Oy
Mika Kuismanen, Suomen Yrittäjät
Taina Källi, Rautanainen Oy, Chairman
Kalle Lahervo, Epic Driving School Incorporated
Mika Lahtinen, ESLA/E. S. Lahtinen Oy
Timo Linnamäki, Muru-Dining Oy
Merja Metsävaara-Mildh, Front Desk Oy
Jarno Mäki, Onrego Oy
Karri Nieminen, Fiscales Oy
Heikki Palin, Palin-Granit Oy
Simo Pinomaa, Elinkeinoelämän keskusliitto EK
Tomi Saalasti, Saalasti Group, Vice-chairman
Jaana Seppälä, Kasvu Open Oy
Kari Sorjonen, Tasowheel Group
Tuomas Soronen, Sorcolor Oy
Niina Stolt, Studio Onni
Lars Sundholm, Halsing Oy
Jukka Suovanen, Odum Oy
Timo Tolppa, Metsäkonepalvelu Oy
Saana Tyni, Koti Puhtaaksi Oy
Marika Tähtinen-Hakala, Tampereen Panimoravintola Oy
Marcus von Schantz, Accounting Services Tilimatic Oy
Hannu Wiinikainen, HJW Group Oy

Consultative Committee of Employers

Interaction and communication between Varma and employers is strengthened by the Consultative Committee of Employers which is named by Varma’s Board of Directors. The consultative committee, which consists of employer representatives, keeps track of issues related to the Employees Pensions Act (TyEL) and gives statements and recommendations concerning companies’ pension insurance and its development.

Jussi Aine, Managing Director,Harjavalta Oy -konserni
Sami Asikainen, Managing Director, Eezy Plc
Kim Biskop, Managing Director, Osuuskauppa KPO
Marko Edfelt, Partner, Drama Queen Communications Oy
Pasi Flinkman, Managing Director, Orkla Suomi Oy
Charlotta Furuhjelm, Chairman of the Board, Brandt Group Oy Ltd
Tiina Haanpää, Managing Director, Nuorten Ystävät -palvelut Oy, Deputy Chair
Virpi Holmqvist, Managing Director, Attendo Suomi Oy
Jens Jensen, Managing Director, Suvia Group Oy
Antti Järvinen, Country Manager, Google Finland
Erkki Järvinen, Managing Director, Snellman Oy Ab
Matti Karppinen, Managing Director, Saarioinen Oy
Tapani Kiiski, Raute Oyj, Managing Director, Raute Corporation
Sakari Kiiskinen, Business Director, Transval Henkilöstöpalvelut Oy
Heikki Kovanen, Managing Director, Kovanen Capital Oy
Mikael Kämpe, Managing Director, Ramirent Finland Ltd
Reetta Laakkonen, Chairman of the Board, Laakkonen-konserni
Heikki Lamminpää, Managing Director, Otiga Finland Oy
Liisa Leino, Managing Director and Chairman of the Board, Leino Group Oy
Teppo Lindén, Managing Director, Coronaria Oy
Olli Manner, Chairman of the Board, Elomatic Oy
Heikki Marva, Managing Director, Länsi-Suomi-yhtymä Oy
Janne Mäki, Managing Director, Atoy Oy
Petteri Nurmi, CEO, Schenker Oy
Juha Näkki, Managing Director, Etteplan Oyj
Jari Ollila, Chairman of the Board, Purso Group Oy
Hannu Rahnasto, Managing Director, Compass Group FS Finland Oy, Chair
Juha Ruotsalainen, Managing Director, Veho Oy Ab
Topi Saarenhovi, Executive Vice President, Kiwa Inspecta Group
Juha Salonen, Managing Director, Leipomo Salonen Oy
Leif Sebbas, Chairman of the Board, Solwers Plc
Kaisa Tarkkanen, Managing Director, Med Group Oy
Jack Westren-Doll, Chairman of the Board, Granlund Oy
Pertti Yliniemi, Chairman of the Board, Lapland Hotels Group

Consultative Committee of Pensioners

The Consultative Committee of Pensioners The Consultative Committee of Pensioners develops co-operation between Varma and pensioners. It consists of pensioners from all over Finland as well as expert members. Varma’s Board of Directors appoints the members for a term of three years.

Heikki Ajanko
Helena Hiila-O'Brien, Chair
Risto Honkanen
Sirpa Jukarainen
Teuvo Kalso
Jukka Kivekäs
Irma Kronlöf
Risto Pentikäinen
Kaija Roukala
Irma Saarinen
Ann Selin
Heikki Sormunen
Juha Tuomainen
Veikko T. Valkonen

Expert members

Eeva Kuuskoski
Simo Paassilta