Johanna Pentjärvi appointed Managing Director of Finnish Bioindustries
- Jun 3
- 2 min read
The board of Finnish Bioindustries (Suomen Bioteollisuus ry) has appointed Johanna Pentjärvi as the association's Managing Director. Pentjärvi will take up the role on 1 June 2026.
Pentjärvi brings extensive experience in advocacy work within the business sector, in developing the operating environment for industry, and in regulatory, sustainability, and innovation matters that support sustainable growth. She has worked in particular at the intersections of environmental, biodiversity, sustainability, innovation, and industrial policy, and has been actively involved in preparing issues that affect the growth and competitiveness of companies.
Under Pentjärvi's leadership, Finnish Bioindustries will strengthen its work to advance the growth and internationalisation of the bioindustry, raise the sector's profile, and pursue effective advocacy. The association aims to support the operating conditions for Finnish biotechnology, build important domestic and international networks, and promote exports and increased funding for the sector.
"I take on this role with enthusiasm and great new energy. Finland has strong expertise, research, and business activity in biotechnology. The next priority is to strengthen the sector's visibility, its conditions for growth, its export opportunities, and its funding base. I want to work towards making Finnish bioindustry better known among decision-makers, investors, students, and international partners alike," says Johanna Pentjärvi.
Lotte Bruns, Chair of the Board of Finnish Bioindustries, considers the appointment an important step into the association's next phase.
"Johanna Pentjärvi brings strong strategic vision, expertise in advocacy, and the ability to build collaboration across diverse stakeholders to the role. The bioindustry plays a central role in driving sustainable growth, innovation, and investment, and under Johanna’s leadership we are in an excellent position to strengthen the position of the Finnish bioindustry in Europe and globally,” says Lotte Bruns, Chair of the Board of Finnish Bioindustries.
The growth of the bioindustry requires predictable regulation, strong research and innovation policy, a skilled workforce, and an operating environment that supports corporate investment. Finnish Bioindustries continues its work as the shared voice and collaboration platform for the sector's companies, strengthening the competitiveness of the bioindustry both in Finland and internationally.
Finnish Bioindustries warmly thanks Alexandra Peth, who served as the association's Managing Director from 2023 to 2026. Peth took the foundations of FIB's work to a new level, renewing the association's brand and ways of working, among other things. She moved on to new responsibilities outside the Chemical Industry Federation at the end of April.
"We want to thank Alexandra Peth for her significant work in developing FIB. Alexandra renewed the association's activities, strengthened its foundation, and created a strong basis for the next phase of growth and impact," says Lotte Bruns.
Further information
Lotte Bruns, Chair of the Board, Finnish Bioindustries
Tel: +358 40 029 1629
Johanna Pentjärvi
Managing director
