Huld Strengthens Position in the Space and Defense Industry – Appoints New CEO
We have updated our strategy to better reflect the changing market. As part of the implementation of the strategy, the new CEO will be appointed.
Juha Virtanen will start as Huld’s new CEO as of 1.8.2025. His goal is to strengthen our position, especially as a prominent European expert in the fields of space and defense. According to Virtanen, the market will grow strongly in the coming years with new investments, and Huld is in an excellent position, operating in these sectors for a long time.
Virtanen is looking forward to taking on his new duties.
– I have been able to get to know Huld as a board member for three years now. The company has a great current customer base and huge potential to become one of Europe’s leading players, especially in digitalization and product development in the space and defense industries. We will continue to focus on the development of high-quality, safe and sustainable technology together with our customers.
Virtanen has worked for Gofore Plc for the past 18 years, most recently responsible for the digital services business. In addition, he has been a member of Huld’s Board since May 2022, participating in the company’s strategic development. When taking on the position of CEO, he will also leave Huld’s Board.
Juha Virtanen will start as Huld’s CEO on August 1, 2025, as Mika Kiljala joins Huld’s board.
Current CEO joins the Huld Board
The current CEO and founder of the company, Mika Kiljala, will leave his position as CEO on 1.8.2025 and become a member of Huld’s Board. In addition, he will support the new CEO in the transition phase as an advisor.
– I have had the honour of leading and growing Huld for 20 years. Now, it’s the right time to move into a new role on the Board to support the company’s next phase of growth. Huld has developed significantly over the years, and I am proud of what we have achieved together. Juha Virtanen knows the company well and has a strong vision and experience of managing a growth company. I leave the CEO’s duties to him with confidence and look forward to supporting Huld’s development as a member of the Board and a shareholder, Kiljala says.
Johan Wentzel, Chairman of the Huld Board, also comments on the change:
– Under the ownership of Sentica Oy since 2017, Huld has developed into a recognised and established operator in its field. A big thank you to Mika Kiljala for his long and successful career as Huld’s CEO. Juha Virtanen’s appointment as the new CEO supports the next phase of our strategy, which aims to grow especially around our strong space and defense competencies.
More info:
Johan Wentzel, p. +358 40 733 9925
Mika Kiljala, p. +358 40 545 3760
Juha Virtanen, p. +358 50 413 3136
Huld Oy is a technology company that employs 400 people in Finland and Czechia. Huld offers a unique combination of software and product development expertise. We have decades of experience in providing secure, high-quality and sustainable solutions from space to medical devices and industry. Together with our customers, we build smart solutions that last until tomorrow – and beyond.