MANAGEMENT
PASI KIVELÄ
Chairman of the Board
Born 1971
Nationality: Finnish
Pasi is one of the founders of CES group. He initiated an international CES Eco park project in 2017 when he was appointed as the General Manager of International Business to one of the leading biomaterial producers in Northern Europe, Honkajoki Ltd. The company has over 50 years of experience in producing e.g. rendered fats with a state-of-the-art technology, for diverse industrial and commercial end products, such as sustainable biofuel.
Pasi brings a wealth of expertise in project management, science, finance, and international business to his role as the Chairman of the Board. With a background in machine automation engineering, Pasi has successfully spearheaded numerous large-scale endeavors, overseeing multi-billion dollar ventures in diverse sectors such as electronics, 3G networks, pulp and paper industry, energy plants, renewable energy technologies, and food business. Prior to his current position, Pasi has worked in companies such as Honkajoki Ltd, Nokia Networks Ltd, Tellabs International Inc. and UPM (United Paper Mills).
Pasi’s extensive experience as a board professional and CEO in various industries provides a strong strategic vision to achieve the goals and objectives of international institutional investors (LPs), financiers, business and technology partners, governmental partners, employees and teams in global markets.
In addition to his corporate responsibilities, Pasi has served as a distinguished representative for the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment of Finland / OSKE food program in China. This role underscores his commitment to fostering international cross-cultural collaboration and economic growth between countries.
Furthermore, Pasi’s deep-rooted knowledge and experience in quantum physics further enhance his ability to comprehend and capitalize on emerging trends and technologies. His long-term involvement in this specialized field enables him to identify novel applications and opportunities, driving innovation and long-term success in the industries that CES group companies are operating in.
REIJO SEPPÄNEN
Board Member, CEO, CES group companies
Born 1963
Nationality: Finnish
Reijo is one of the founders of CES group. He was appointed CEO at the start of the CES project in 2018. He led the development project of the international Eco park factory concept and developed a module factory concept for the fast and high volume worldwide factory project deliveries.
Reijo is a highly experienced CEO and Board Member with proven ability to deliver results above and beyond the expectations of shareholders. His focus, drive and determination are invaluable in the execution of company’s business plans. He has the ability to manage complex construction and manufacturing schedules while ensuring the quality of work remains extremely high and within budget. Building an international supply chain is also one of Reijo’s great strengths.
Prior to being appointed as the CEO of CES group, Reijo has worked as a Project Director in very demanding system projects both domestically and internationally. These includes weapons system projects for the military, semi and fully automated production line projects for the telecommunication companies, and energy efficiency projects and factory delivery projects. Reijo has worked as a Group Director and Factory Director for JOT Automations Ltd. He has led production and factory project executions for Nokia, Motorola, Ericsson and Siemens. He has also been a Project Director at Patria Ltd. where he has led large weapons system projects for the Finnish Defence Forces and Border Guard.
Reijo is an experienced business transformation leader. He has been leading the transitions of numerous technology and engineering projects in the telecommunication sector from pilot projects to full scale assembly lines and from start-up factories to leading telecommunications factory complexes, overseeing the integration of resources, factories, teams and customer groups.
Reijo is highly experienced in technical issues, engineering solutions and the relevant science. He has a broad industrial outlook and a thorough commercial approach combined with a practical perspective on businesses. He brings a track record of strong operational exposure, familiarity with capital-intensive business and a first-class international perspective on driving value in complex environments. He combines these qualities with a passion for people and he prides himself in leading from the front to ensure the high performance and high work quality of his whole team.
KARI VALKOSALO
Board Member, Technology and Science
Born 1955
Nationality: Finnish
Kari is largely responsible for the outstanding success of bio-material producer Honkajoki Ltd. in its home country Finland. Having worked at the top level in the agricultural sector for over 25 years, Kari has unparalleled knowledge of the circular economy business model. He is fully conversant with every stage of the process from the moment the waste management need arises to the point that valuable raw material products leave the production line e.g. rendered fats for biofuel production.
Kari initiated an international CES Eco park project in 2017 with Pasi Kivelä when he appointed Pasi as the General Manager of International Business of Honkajoki Ltd.
In his time as the CEO with Honkajoki Ltd., Kari has constantly fine-tuned the process and developed patents based on his innovative work. At this important “tipping point” in the evolution of eco solutions and fast industrialization of biomaterials worldwide, Kari is at the forefront of what can only be described as an “biomaterial revolution”. His knowledge and experience are invaluable in this field for CES group companies.
As an experienced and knowledgeable engineer, Kari has consistently pursued sustainable action on climate change in the interests of access to affordable energy and global “green” development. Kari has brought the wealth of his experience and insights to CES group, where his expertise is helping our Board of Directors navigate the energy transition, from fossil-based energy to more clean renewable bio-energy. Kari is a committed champion of new technical solution concepts, disruptive technology, continuous R&D, unprecedented manufacturing processes and advocated pilot projects – all of which align closely with CES’ main purpose, strategy and values
STUART BALDWIN
Board Member, Business Development, Branding and Marketing
Born 1958
Nationality: British
Stuart was one of the founding members of the CES group. In November 2017 he was charged with the task of gauging interest for a project such as this within the Chinese Tech Investment community and presented the project to both the Finland Tech Roadshow and the Clean Connect 2017 seminars that year. In both cases the interest was phenomenal.
Stuart has a passion for building business. Along with his drive and determination he injects his infectious enthusiasm into those around him and firmly believes that success in any business comes as a result of helping others overcome their problems and achieve their goals. Over a period of two decades he was directly involved in setting up numerous Wholly Foreign Owned Enterprises (WOFEs) in China, in both Financial Services and the Food and Beverage sectors.
In the process, he purchased 50% of a fledgling international investment advisory business and along with his partner Greg Morris, built a multi-million dollar offshore investment company, Austen Morris Associates (AMA). Immediately after his acquisition Stuart was responsible for creating a new and extremely innovative career path structure within AMA which revolutionised the offshore investment world at the time. This helped AMA recruit and retain some of the highest performers in this global industry.
While building AMA, he was also responsible for the incorporation of AMA offices in Shanghai (China) Manila (Philippines), Ho Chi Min (Vietnam) and Bangkok (Thailand).
He successfully exited AMA with a generous seven figure exit package in 2009 when he began focusing full time on the F&B sector. The result was one of Shanghai’s most successful international owned F&B brands whose flagship venue became an iconic Shanghai destination bar, restaurant, nightclub for over a decade.
In 2018, Stuart became a senior partner of Honkajoki CES, responsible for business development, branding and marketing of the International bio-waste recycling project. Working closely with the CES design partner in Finland he developed the CES logo and branding. He was also responsible for introducing renowned international architects Chapman Taylor to the project and secured their support to design the site layout for our initially planned project in China. This allows potential investors, local and national government to envisage a fully developed CES Eco Park.
DR. Zhang Qi
Board Member, Business Development, Food Safety
Born 1969
Nationality: Chinese
Charles has been engaged in the application and promotion of new technologies in Europe for more than 20 years. He founded Chifin and led his team to operate food safety projects and promote BIO materials technology in the Chinese market. The company has obtained the certification certificate of the China, and become a third party inspection institution in China’s food safety industry. In 2013, Charles invested in a factory producing medical equipment using Finnish biomaterials and established a sales network across China.
Charles has done a lot of works on market investigation and food safety study for CES ECO PARK project in China market. He has taken part in a lot of activities of academic exchanges and cooperation between China and Finland in government level.
Charles received a bachelor’s degree in Heat Engineering in 1990, obtained a PhD from the DBA program at the University of Victoria School of Management, completed an advanced training course in International Finance and Investment at Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford. He specializes in business development and project management, has rich experience in working with government and academic institutions, and he is innovative and adaptable to company operations, team management, market development and financial management.