Järvenpää is one of the fastest growing and developing cities in Finland. The cornerstones of its strategy are sustainable and controlled growth, vibrant city life and early help. Based on the city's new strategy, a Business and Economy Programme 2023-2030 was developed in extensive cooperation to promote business activities. Heikki Häyhä (41) has been appointed Programme Manager to lead and implement the measures of the programme to support the well-being of businesses and the location of their businesses in Järvenpää.
Häyhä has worked in business management, development and start-up roles, and has collaborated with cities in a variety of ways. As Managing Director of Vermo Ravirata Oy, he was responsible for the business operations of Vermo Arena. Previously, Mr Häyhä was the founder and manager of Skywheel Helsinki, a service and landmark in the centre of Helsinki. He has also served as Chief Operating Officer of Allas Sea Pool, and as an entrepreneur in his own company doing assignments in Europe and the US. Häyhä holds a Master's degree in Business Administration from Aalto University School of Economics, in the Management and International Business programme.
"Heikki brings us experience in starting, growing and investing in businesses. His strong sales, marketing and stakeholder experience will be an asset to Business Järvenpää's services - as will his experience in entrepreneurship. Having worked with several cities in Finland and abroad, Heikki is able to combine the perspectives of companies and the city," says Harri Palviainen, City Development Director.
The city's excellent location and accessibility, together with a growing and developing business community of more than 3,000 companies, is accelerating the city's growth towards its vision of a northern hub for the metropolitan area. The city's business and economic services, operating under the Business Järvenpää brand, support businesses.
"I am excited about the opportunity to help promote business in a growing city. The Enterprise and Business Programme has good guidelines and concrete measures - it has created a positive, pro-active and developmental feeling. I believe I have a lot to bring to the role of Programme Manager from my previous roles. As a former resident of Järvenpää, I have long been interested in the city and its future, even though I now live on the other side of the lake," says Häyhä with a twinkle in his eye.
The Urban Development Service supports the growth and development of the city through its services. Business Järvenpää, in cooperation with its partners, provides services that strengthen the growth and internationalisation of companies, the supply of labour and the business environment. In cooperation with regional, national and international networks, Business Järvenpää is actively involved in marketing, sales and placement services for companies.
Häyhä is a member of the Business Järvenpää team and reports to Palviainen.
Further information:
Harri Palviainen, Director of Urban Development, +358 500 967 744, [email protected]
Heikki Häyhä, Programme Manager, +358 40 315 2959, [email protected]