The Farmers' Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Mela) has appointed its board of directors for the term 2026-2028, with Tero Hemmilä to take on the role of chairman.

Hemmilä was appointed by the Finnish Centre for Pensions (ETK) as chairman of the board of directors, while ETK director, Allan Paldanius, will continue as vice chair.

Hemmilä will also soon become chairman of the Central Union of Agricultural Producers and Forest Owners (MTK) and succeeds outgoing MTK chairman, Juha Marttila, who has led Mela's board since 2009.

The delegation, elected at its meeting on 11 December 2025, will see the new board of directors start its three-year term on 1 January 2026. The board of directors is comprised of nine members.

These members include Hemmilä, Paldanius, Finland’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry director general, Minna-Mari Kaila, State Treasury Republic of Finland director, Marja Paavonen, Kymppibetoni Oy chief financial officer, Eeva Korimäki, World Farmer’s Organisation board member, Kati Partanen, MTK Himanka chairwoman, Henna Vuotila, and member of Finnish Parliament, Mats Nylund.

Each of the seven board members, excluding the chairman and vice chairman, has a deputy member.

Kaila’s deputy member is Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry head of unit, Anna-Leena Miettinen; Liuttu’s deputy member is Sweco business unit manager, Mikko Horko; and Paavonen’s deputy member is Stora Enso senior project officer, Kari Kemppainen.

Additionally, Korimäki’s deputy member is City of Salo councillor, Jaakko Halkilahti; Partanen’s deputy member is Ilmarinen portfolio manager, Johan Åberg; Vuotila’s deputy member is MTK director of economic development, Leena Krister; and Nylund’s deputy member is Johanna Nyman.

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