Wilhelm Wolff, often referred to as "Wille" by his colleagues, assumed the role of Executive Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at Huhtamaki in January. In this position, he also became a member of the Global Executive Team.
Before joining Huhtamaki, Wilhelm held the position of Vice President of Feedstock & Asset Development at Neste, a leading Finnish company specializing in sustainable aviation fuel, renewable diesel, and renewable feedstock solutions. His career also includes various leadership roles at UPM-Kymmene, a global forest industry company.
Let's take this opportunity to get to know Wilhelm better.
Could you share some insights into your professional background and what brought you to Huhtamaki?
Certainly! Throughout my career, I have focused on strategy and business development . My experience spans consulting, as well as business and corporate positions in several companies. I am thrilled to join Huhtamaki, a globally recognized leader in sustainable packaging solutions. I look forward to working with the team to further advance Huhtamaki’s 2030 strategy, accelerate its execution, and drive additional value creation, building on the remarkable success achieved to date.
What excites you the most about taking on theisrole?
I am particularly excited about delving into the global packaging and converting business. Having spent my career in capital-intensive process industries, I am eager to embrace the fast-paced nature of the packaging sector. The complexity it brings presents an exhilarating challenge, and I am looking forward to learning how to navigate and manage it effectively.
What role do you believe employees play in shaping and executing strategy?
I believe there are three essential elements that any good strategy should encompass, regardless of whether it's for a project, a business unit, or the entire company. Firstly, a strategy should clearly define our direction—where we are headed, what we are choosing to focus on, and equally importantly, what we are not pursuing. This clarity helps everyone understand the overarching goals.
Secondly, a strategy must focus on impact and value creation – for shareholders, customers, employees and the planet It should serve as a guiding light for everyone in the organization, helping them understand their specific roles in executing the strategy. Even the best strategy will fail if it is not effectively executed, which underscores the importance of each individual's contribution.
Lastly, when the strategy is clear both on what we are doing, as well as why we are doing it, figuring out how to achieve our objectives becomes easier . This alignment ensures that we are all working cohesively toward the same objectives.
”The real beauty of a well-crafted strategy is that it enables everyone to play their part effectively, ensuring we move in the same direction with a unified purpose.”
What´s one piece of advice or philosophy that has guided you throughout your career?
Two guiding principles have consistently shaped my career: The first one is “always assume good intentions” and the second one is “if you want to look into the future, you must understand the past.“
Outside of work, what is something your CV doesn’t reveal about you?"
A hidden passion of mine is woodworking. During the summer, I love spending time at our summer home building wooden furniture. While I’m far from a professional, it’s a wonderful way to unwind and take my mind off work. However, don’t expect showroom quality pieces—it's more about the joy of creating than perfection!