After retiring from a long career in the energy sector, Seppo Ruohonen decided to take on a new challenge and support VALOR Partners’ development and growth. At the end of June, he will retire for a second time, after thirteen years of valuable contribution.
In 2012, Seppo Ruohonen retired from his position as CEO of Helsingin Energia, now known as Helen Oy. In addition to this demanding role, he served on the boards of several major Finnish energy companies, and held advocacy positions, including Chair of the Finnish Energy (Energiateollisuus ry) and member of the Board of the Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK).
Over the course of his forty-year career, Seppo gained extensive experience in the energy sector and business management, serving in positions such as Executive Vice President of the transmission system operator Fingrid Oyj and CEO of the industrial energy group Teollisuuden Voimansiirto Oy. He also witnessed and led several major transitions in the energy industry. In recognition of his distinguished service, he was awarded the honorary title of Energy Counsellor by the President of the Republic of Finland.
Elevating the standard of consulting services
A year earlier (in 2011), Antti Halonen, Henrikki Palva, Matti Saarikoski and Raine Vammelvirta had founded VALOR Partners, a company focused on management consulting and investment banking. Their aim was to elevate the standard of consulting services in Finland. As experienced professionals, they wanted to offer clients practical, business-oriented advice taking into account the specific characteristics of each operating environment.
To achieve their goal, the founders decided to build a strong team at VALOR, bringing together professionals with varying backgrounds and experiences, united by an entrepreneurial mindset, a sense of purpose and a strong sense of responsibility.
“In addition to analytical talent, we wanted to include experts with hands-on leadership experience and deep industry knowledge,” Managing Partner Henrikki Palva explains. “In organisations, things are rarely as simple as numerical analysis alone would suggest.”
Effective collaboration rooted in trust and alignment
Seppo and Henrikki met through a mutual acquaintance, and their collaboration began quickly as they immediately connected on both a personal and professional level.
“The founding partners’ approach to consulting and investment banking seemed intriguing,” Seppo says, reflecting on the early days of the collaboration. “I was not ready to fully step away from working life, so I decided to support them in building their network and contribute deeper insight into the energy sector and leadership.”
The thirteen-year role as Senior Adviser has been meaningful for both Seppo and VALOR.
“The most rewarding part has been following how VALOR’s concept, strategy, and culture have evolved exactly in the direction the founders originally envisioned — and have consistently pursued with determination,” Seppo notes.
Building networks and expertise
Seppo’s key role has been to support project teams by bringing in expertise, providing context, and opening doors. His extensive network — ranging from political decision-makers to business leaders and investors — has offered VALOR valuable perspectives and access to important conversations.
Seppo has deepened VALOR’s understanding of the energy market and helped clarify the challenges of decision-making and leadership. According to him, a consulting assignment must always lead to concrete actions: what will be done next, and by whom, to ensure the results translate into real change.
“Analysis alone does not produce a solution,” he says. “An assessment of whether a line of thought is actually implementable, and what risks it involves, is necessary.”
Having already reached retirement age, Seppo has particularly enjoyed working with younger colleagues in a company whose approach to people and workplace culture differs significantly from the early days of his own career.
“In working life in the early 1970s, led by men who had been through the war, the leadership style was rather harsh,” he recalls. “Back then, employee well-being was not really a priority, unlike at VALOR.”
VALOR’s journey to becoming a trusted energy advisor
VALOR’s operations, industry expertise, and recognition have grown significantly since the early years. In 2024, the company reported a turnover of € 9.6 million with a team of nearly 50 professionals.
“We are a well-known player in the energy sector across Finland,” Henrikki says. “Seppo’s active involvement and deep understanding of the energy market have enabled us to take on more in-depth projects, which has been tremendously valuable for VALOR’s growth and development,” he adds appreciatively.
Henrikki continues that while VALOR brings deep industry expertise, many of the questions their clients face are fundamentally similar across sectors — whether it is refining strategy, improving operational efficiency, fostering sustainable growth, or managing mergers, acquisitions, and financing.
Retiring for a second time
At the end of June 2025, Seppo will retire for the second time. Having supported VALOR in building a strong position in the energy sector, he sees this as a natural next step.
“It has been a privilege to extend my career and apply my expertise and networks for VALOR’s benefit,” he reflects. “There is a certain paradox in working life: just when your experience is at its deepest, it is time to retire. At VALOR, I have been able to stay active without the burden of operational responsibility.”
He adds that his personal life has now reached a point where it is time to enjoy the days without tight schedules or deadlines.
“On behalf of all of VALOR Partners, I want to sincerely thank Seppo for his invaluable contribution and wish him a fulfilling and peaceful retirement,” Henrikki concludes.
Text: Catarina Stewen