Mets succeeds Hans Sohlström who is leaving Ahlstrom at the end of December to pursue new opportunities outside the company.
An international business leader with over 30 years of experience, Mets has held a range of senior executive leadership roles at Avery Dennison, the family company Pon, and at Royal DSM, where, as executive vice president of Materials, she led the successful growth transformation, carve-out and divestment of the Specialty Materials businesses. Since December 2021, she has also served on the Ahlstrom board of directors.
“We are now starting the next phase of Ahlstrom’s transformation and the board is excited with the nomination of Helen,” said Ivano Sessa, chairman of the Ahlstrom board of directors. “Her track record of value creation in the specialty materials industry, her strong customer-focused mindset and her capabilities to drive large-scale growth and transformations through sustainable innovation make her a great fit for Ahlstrom.”
“I wish to thank the board of directors for its confidence in me,” said Mets. “Ahlstrom is a company whose values and heritage I admire. I’m very much looking forward to working alongside Ahlstrom’s teams to lead our growth transformation, deliver on our purpose and strengthen the company’s position as a global leader in sustainable fiber-based specialty materials.”
Sessa also acknowledged Sohlström’s contribution to Ahlstrom’s success since.
“On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Hans for his energetic and inspiring leadership,” said Sessa. “During his seven years at the helm of the company, first as chairman of the board, and then for the last five years as president and CEO, Ahlstrom has more than tripled its net sales and increased fivefold its EBITDA. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”
