Jyrki Iivonen Honoured with "2013 Opinion Leader in Forestry" Title

Jyrki Iivonen, political and economics editor has been honoured with the "2013 Opinion Leader in Forestry" title. One of the selection criteria used by the jury was as follows: Mr Iivonen specialising in forestry is a sharp industry observer whose straight writings in Finland's largest publisher of newspapers and magazines have brought forestry issues to public debate for a number of decades now.

According to the jury members, Iivonen's writings are extremely popular and recognised in the forest industry although they "often lash out viciously at those concerned". He has worked for Helsingin Sanomat since 1981 and written about developments in the Finnish forest industries for three decades now. The selection was published at OP-Pohjola's Forest Day event in Joensuu.

Every year, OP-Pohjola Group rewards a private individual, working group or organisation in recognition of his/her/its contribution in the forestry sector. The jury comprises Jyrki Kangas, Director General of Metsähallitus; Juha Ojala, Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry; Mikko Tiirola, Chairman of the Forestry Council; and Panu Kallio, Vice President, and Tapio Tilli, Forest Service Manager, of OP-Pohjola Group.

Past holders of this title include opera singer Jorma Hynninen, film director Markku Pölönen, Permanent Secretary Sirkka Hautojärvi, Secretary of State Raimo Sailas, forest management associations when they celebrated their 100th anniversary, Director of the Forestry Group of the Central Union of Agricultural Producers and Forest Owners Juha Hakkarainen, Executive Director of the Finnish Forest Association Juhani Karvonen, and Managing Director of the Finnish Sawmills Association Jukka-Pekka Ranta.

For more information, please contact:
Panu Kallio, Vice President, OP-Pohjola Group, tel. 010 252 2742
Tapio Tilli, Forest Service Manager, OP-Pohjola Group, tel. 010 252 8536

OP-Pohjola Group is Finland's leading financial services group providing a unique range of banking, investment and insurance services. The Group's mission is to promote the sustainable prosperity, well-being and security of its owner-members, customers and operating regions through its local presence. Its objective is to offer the best and most versatile package of loyal customer benefits on the market. OP-Pohjola Group consists of some 200 member cooperative banks and the Group's central institution, OP-Pohjola Group Central Cooperative, with its subsidiaries and closely-related companies, the largest of which is the listed company Pohjola Bank plc. The Group has a staff of over 13,000. OP-Pohjola Group posted earnings before tax of EUR 601 million in 2012 and had total assets of EUR 99.8 billion on 31 December 20121. The Group has over four million customers.