Mikko Helander to be Kesko Corporation's new Managing Director

KESKO CORPORATION STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 28.05.2014 AT 08.30 1(1)

Mikko Helander to be Kesko Corporation's new Managing Director

Kesko Corporation's Board of Directors has appointed Mikko Helander, M.Sc. (Tech.), as Kesko Corporation's Managing Director and Kesko Group's President and Chief Executive Officer as from 1 January 2015.

Mikko Helander (b. 1960) will join Kesko as Kesko Corporation's Deputy Managing Director and Member of the Group Management Board on 1 December 2014 at the latest and he will be Kesko Group's President and CEO starting from 1 January 2015. Helander has acted as the Chief Executive Officer of Metsä Board Corporation and as a Member of the Executive Management Teamof Metsä Group since 2006 and before that as the Chief Executive Officer of Metsä Tissue Corporation as well as in various management positions at the Valmet and Metso Groups. He has been a Board Member at Metsä Fibre Oy since 2008 and at the German Pulp and Paper Association (VDP) since 2013. Earlier Helander has been the Vice Chairman of the Board at Myllykoski Paper Oy in 2007-2012 and a Board Member at the Finnish Forest Industries Federation in 2007-2011.

Starting from 1 January 2015, President and CEO Matti Halmesmäki will continue as a special advisor and in special assignments to be agreed with Kesko's Board of Directors until 31 May 2015 when he will retire.

"In Kesko's history, Mikko Helander will be the first President and CEO that has been nominated from outside the company. He has a strong track record in effective business leadership in a rapidly changing operating environment. Kesko's management is experienced and competent and the Group's financial performance and condition are very strong. This will provide an excellent basis for the work of the new President and CEO", says Board Chair Esa Kiiskinen.

Kesko will hold a press conference on the appointment today, Wednesday 28 May 2014, at 10 a.m. EET in the auditorium at Ankkurikatu 5, Helsinki. Mikko Helander will also be present.

A photograph of Mikko Helander with personal information is available on Kesko's website at www.kesko.fi/Group-Management-Board.

Further information will be available after the press conference from Board Chair Esa Kiiskinen, tel. +358 10 53 50200, and President and CEO Matti Halmesmäki, tel. +358 10 53 22201.

Kesko Corporation

Merja Haverinen
Vice President, Group Communications

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