Governance

Matti Viljo is an advisor and investor. He has held board positions in several countries in public and private companies in the energy, IT, software, SaaS, cyber security and fiber optic industries. During his 35-year professional career, Matti has worked in CEO and other Executive positions in international companies in the Energy, IT and Software industries. Matti has successfully grown companies both organically and through M&A. His most recent leadership position was CEO of Adven Group from 2013 to 2018. Matti’s career started at IBM, where he held several Executive positions in Finland, the US and Europe. Then, he worked for eight years at Oracle as MD of Oracle Finland and later VP of Application Business EMEA. His last IT-related positions were Executive Vice President of TietoEnator and General Manager at Unisys Europe. Matti also established and built IBM and Oracle’s presence in the Baltics during his career. He holds a Master of Science in Economics from the Helsinki School of Economics.

Baiba Rubesa has held executive roles in VW, Statoil, and the Rail Baltica project. In addition to her work for Gren, she is a co-founder of Novatore. She also serves as Supervisory Board Chair of Hansamatrix, Coffee Address Group and PEPI RER. Previously, she served on several supervisory boards, such as the Stockholm School of Economics in Riga, Latvenergo, Citadeles Banka, DnB Nord Banka, the Board of the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI) and the Foreign Investors’ Council in Latvia (FICIL).

Dalius Misiunas is the Rector of ISM University of Management and Economics. Dalius has more than 15 years of experience in various business organizations: SWECO, Ernst & Young, Lietuvos Energija and Maxima Group. He is also an independent member of the supervisory council at Swedbank Lithuania.

Dr David Daum is part of the European Private Infrastructure business unit based in Zug. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the firm’s portfolio companies Gren, Biogeen, Parmaco and VSB Renewables. He has been with Partners Group since 2011 and has 16 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Partners Group, he worked at Deutsche Bank. He holds a PhD in physics from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (in Lausanne, Switzerland).

Nicholas Pepper is part of the European Private Infrastructure team of Partners Group, based in Zug. He is also a Board member of Telepass. He is a member of the PG LIFE Impact Committee. He has been with Partners Group since 2015. Prior to joining Partners Group, he worked at Bamboo Capital Partners and Phatisa. He holds a master’s degree in development finance from the Graduate School of Business, University of Cape Town, South Africa, and a bachelor’s degree in political economics from HEC Lausanne, Switzerland.

Urmo Heinam was as CEO of Adven Baltics for six years until 2020. Before that, he held various managerial roles in Eesti Energia and Skanska EMV. He has an MSc in environmental engineering and management.

Ilkka Niiranen is an experienced leader of businesses and people with a demonstrated successful track record of working with energy infrastructure and industrial energy solutions. Prior to joining Gren, he served over ten years in the Adven Group, holding several senior executive positions as Senior Vice President, Operational Excellence and Business Development and CEO of Adven Sweden & Norway. He has also worked in the European businesses of Fortum corporation, and E.On. Ilkka holds an MSc (Tech.) in Energy Economics & Markets from Helsinki University of Technology.

Andris Vanags has 20 years of experience in Latvian energy. He has participated in the construction projects of Latvia’s largest cogeneration stations in cooperation with international companies, as well as worked on various energy and water treatment solutions for district heating and industrial customers. Andris is also well-known among industry professionals, having worked for years in the District Heating Association as a member of the council. In the recent past, he also worked in the Latvian Wind Energy Association, helping the industry gain recognition and becoming a main representative of the industry’s voice. Andris graduated from Riga Technical University and obtained a thermal engineering qualification.

Kevin Vaher has strong, long-term, practical experience within the field of energy and sustainability. He is responsible for the growth of Gren Group through M&A, Industrial Energy Services, and Greenfield business. Previously, Kevin served in Adven Group as Director of New Business Areas, Baltic Sales Director and business developer. Kevin holds a Master of Business Administration from Estonian Business School and a Master’s degree in Heating and Ventilation from Tallinn University of Technology.

Laura Jauhiainen, CFA, is a versatile finance leader with a proven track record of transformational finance, strategy, and communication roles. Laura Jauhiainen has over 15 years of finance experience with a focus on private equity-owned infrastructure companies operating in the energy and telecoms sectors. Over the years, she has also worked as a strategy and investor lead for a stock-listed real estate company, as well as with M&A advisory services. Laura Jauhiainen, CFA, holds an MSc in Economics from the Helsinki School of Economics and an EMBA from Aalto University Executive Education and Professional Development.

Margo Külaots has a strong background in the industry. Prior to joining, he held a position at Fortum Tartu as CEO before becoming CEO of Fortum Eesti in 2011. Also, he was Fortum’s Country Manager for Estonia. He has parallel served as Chairman of the Supervisory Board of EG Võrguteenus and Member of the Supervisory Board of Eesti Gas. Before joining Fortum, Margo was CEO at Tartu Jõujaam As, a company which is responsible for biofuel procurement and logistics for energy producers. Margo Külaots holds a Degree in Economics from the University of Tartu.

Minna Blomqvist is an experienced leader who is passionate about driving change and continuous improvement. Minna built up people practices and supported company growth as Head of People and Culture at IQM. She led a global Human Resources and Communications team as Executive Vice President, Human Resources at Uponor Corporation. As Vice President, Human Resources at Wärtsilä Corporation, she was strongly involved in the strategy development of the Energy Solutions division, and hence, she has a good understanding of the energy market and transition towards more sustainable energy production.

Prior to leadership roles in Human Resources Minna has held multiple positions on the business side in Nokia Siemens Networks, Nokia and Andersen Consulting. She holds MSc, Engineering from Helsinki University of Technology.

Reena Kangur is an experienced Chief Legal Counsel with a demonstrated history of working in the energy industry. She has expertise in corporate law and M&A transactions and a great understanding of the energy sector in the Baltics and Nordics. She has worked before in Adven Group as Chief Legal Counsel Baltics and Eesti Energia AS, advising mainly on renewable energy and Waste-to-Energy projects. Reena has also worked as a Lecturer of Law at Tallinn University and supervised several Master’s and Bachelor’s theses. Reena holds a Master of Arts in Law from Tallinn University of Technology and a Master of Arts in Public Administration and Public Law (cum laude) from Tallinn University.

Tomas Miškūnas is a delivery-focused leader specializing in managing complex programs and transformations for major global businesses. Having work experience within IT, Insurance & Banking, telecommunication, and energy industries for more than 15 years, Tomas helps organizations to achieve strategic objectives. Tomas is well experienced working in multinational environments in Asia, the US, Central Europe & Nordic countries. Tomas has joined Gren from a major energy group in the Baltic states, where he previously formed & led a high-performing Team through the strategic transformation of insourcing IT development and establishing IS development center of excellence to facilitate business growth. Tomas holds a Bachelor of Applied Science from Vilnius University.

Vitalijus Žuta has 45 years of experience in Lithuania’s energy sector. He has developed the first Waste-to-Energy plant project in Klaipeda and the Waste-to-Energy plant project in Kaunas in cooperation with the Ignitis group. He is well-known among energy industry professionals. He actively participates in the CEWEP organization as a Vice-President and presents Waste-to-Energy activities in Lithuania. Vitalijus graduated from Kaunas Technical University and obtained a qualification in thermal engineering.

Irene Kantor is an experienced communications and marketing professional, who has a proven track record in implementing strategic communication and brand. As a board professional, she aims to accelerate the companies into a new phase. Earlier, she worked in a real estate investment company as a Communications and Marketing Director, in a teleoperator company as a Communication Director and as a Managing director in marketing communications companies. Irene holds a Master of Arts from Turku University and an EMBA from Aalto University Executive Education and Professional Development.

Mike Reynolds was appointed CEO of Gren Energy Ltd in June 2023, overseeing the business’s entry into the UK market and its growing portfolio of assets and partnerships. Mike brings 20 years of experience working at the cutting edge of the energy transition in Europe and North America. He has a track record of driving investment, launching new products, establishing businesses in new markets, and achieving sustainable growth. As Managing Director of Vattenfall Heat UK from 2018 to 2023, he oversaw its growth from concept to operational business. He previously held directorships at SSE in B2B energy services and led the international expansion of Natural Capital Partners on the US West Coast.