September 2026: A Month of Major Appointments Across the Global Pulp, Paper and Packaging Industry

From executive leadership changes and CEO succession plans to strategic appointments in finance, operations and industry representation, September saw a series of important developments shaping the sector’s leadership landscape.

September 2026 was a particularly active month for appointments and leadership transitions across the global pulp, paper and packaging industry. Major companies announced new executives, planned retirements, internal promotions and organisational changes, reflecting the importance of leadership continuity, operational efficiency and strategic execution in a rapidly evolving market.

From Graphic Packaging Holding Company strengthening its human resources and finance leadership to Voith Paper welcoming a new president and CEO, the month’s announcements highlighted the diverse leadership priorities of manufacturers, technology suppliers and industry associations.

Graphic Packaging Strengthens Its Executive Leadership

Graphic Packaging Holding Company announced two significant appointments during September, strengthening its leadership in human resources and financial management.

Tatiana Berardinelli was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, effective September 8. With 25 years of global human resources experience across packaging, specialty chemicals, coatings and advanced materials, she joins Graphic Packaging from Multi-Color Corporation, where she served as Chief Human Resources Officer. Her earlier career also included leadership at Clariant.

Her appointment is expected to support employee development, productivity, organisational effectiveness and a strong performance culture.

The company also appointed Aditya Gandhi as Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, effective September 28. Gandhi joined from AptarGroup, where he served as Chief Accounting Officer, and previously held senior finance positions at Sonoco Products Company and WestRock. His background also includes more than a decade at Deloitte and experience in technical accounting.

Together, the appointments reinforce Graphic Packaging’s focus on talent development, financial discipline and operational performance as it pursues profitable growth.

AstenJohnson Announces CEO Transition Ahead of Retirement

AstenJohnson announced that President and CEO Kevin Frank would step down from his role effective September 28, 2026, ahead of his planned retirement. Frank will remain with the company through December 31 to support a smooth leadership transition.

Since joining AstenJohnson in 2015, Frank has guided the company through a period of growth and transformation. During his tenure, the business strengthened its global operations, expanded its Nonwovens footprint, broadened its capabilities and invested in innovation.

The company recognised his contribution to its people-centred culture and relationships with employees, customers, shareholders and communities. The transition marks an important milestone for the business as it prepares for its next phase of development.

UPM and Sappi Identify Leadership for Planned Graphic Paper Joint Venture

UPM and Sappi conditionally selected nominees for the CEO and CFO positions of their planned graphic paper joint venture, subject to regulatory approvals and completion of the transaction.

Gunnar Eberhardt was nominated as Chief Executive Officer, bringing experience from his role as Executive Vice President of UPM Communication Papers, which he has led since October 2024. His previous experience includes senior business leadership positions at Henkel and Osram.

Stephen Blyth was nominated as Chief Financial Officer. Blyth has served as CFO of Sappi Europe since July 2014, following earlier responsibilities in group treasury, tax and financial management. His experience includes funding, refinancing and acquisition integration.

The proposed appointments reflect the importance of combining operational knowledge with financial expertise as the companies work toward establishing the planned joint venture. Both nominations remain conditional on the necessary approvals and transaction completion.

Walki Group Prepares for a Change at the Top

Walki Group announced a CEO succession plan under which long-serving President and CEO Leif Frilund will retire at the end of 2026.

Kari Salminen, currently Deputy CEO and Executive Vice President of Packaging Materials, is scheduled to take over as President and CEO on January 1, 2027.

As part of the transition, Timo Saahko will become Executive Vice President of Packaging Materials and join the Group Executive Team from October 1, 2026. Saahko joins from Mölnlycke Health Care Oy and brings previous experience in several Walki roles across Germany, the United Kingdom, China, Finland and Poland.

The planned handover during the fourth quarter of 2026 is intended to support continuity in leadership and business strategy.

Kadant Outlines CEO Succession Plan

Kadant Inc. announced that Michael C. Colwell would become President and Chief Operating Officer on October 1, 2026, before assuming the positions of President and CEO and joining the board of directors on January 2, 2027.

Current President and CEO Jeffrey L. Powell will become Executive Chairman on January 2, 2027, while current Chairman Jonathan W. Painter will leave his board and chairmanship roles on the same date.

Colwell brings extensive experience within Kadant, including leadership responsibilities in industrial processing, wood processing and fiber-based products. He previously served as president of Kadant Carmanah Design and has held senior leadership positions within the group.

The succession plan provides a structured transition while retaining Colwell’s industry and company-specific experience at the centre of Kadant’s future leadership.

GAW Technologies Appoints Jörg Papak as Head of Global Sales

GAW Technologies appointed Jörg Papak as Head of Global Sales, expanding his responsibilities following his earlier work as Head of Sales Asia.

Papak brings more than 25 years of experience in plant engineering and industrial sales. In his previous role, he was responsible for developing markets across Asia, including Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

In his new position, he oversees the company’s global sales activities, working alongside regional directors and sales managers responsible for markets and technology areas around the world.

Based in Graz, Austria, GAW Technologies supplies plant engineering, equipment and industrial services to sectors including paper, chemicals, automation and water treatment. Papak’s appointment strengthens the company’s global commercial leadership as it continues serving customers across diverse industrial markets.

Stora Enso Appoints Niclas Rosenlew as Deputy CEO

Stora Enso appointed its Chief Financial Officer, Niclas Rosenlew, as Deputy CEO, adding the responsibility to his existing role on the Group Leadership Team.

In the new position, Rosenlew will serve as deputy to President and CEO Hans Sohlström. The company said the appointment reflects their close working relationship and is intended to strengthen engagement with customers, partners, investors and other stakeholders while maintaining a strong focus on strategy execution.

Rosenlew’s combined responsibilities bring finance leadership and broader executive coordination closer together, supporting the company’s efforts to deliver strategic priorities and create value for customers and shareholders.

Voith Paper Welcomes Tero Kokko as President and CEO

Tero Kokko took office as President and CEO of Voith Paper, beginning a new leadership phase for the technology supplier.

Kokko brings experience working with customers, technologies and markets across the global pulp and paper industry. His appointment comes at a time when the sector is adapting to changing market conditions, technological developments and evolving customer requirements.

Kokko said he looked forward to working with the Voith Paper team to support customers and build on the company’s established foundation. His leadership will guide the business as it continues to respond to opportunities and challenges across the global paper industry.

Francesca Stevens Appointed Director General of Cepi

The Confederation of European Paper Industries (Cepi) appointed Francesca Stevens as its next Director General, effective September 28, succeeding Jori Ringman, who had led the association since 2019.

Stevens joins Cepi from EUROPEN, where she served as Secretary General from 2020. She brings 25 years of experience in European industry organisations and has worked on policy issues involving sustainability, circularity, competitiveness and the Single Market.

Her appointment comes at an important time for Europe’s pulp and paper sector, which is working to advance industrial decarbonisation and the circular bioeconomy while addressing energy costs, competitiveness and evolving European Union regulations.

Her experience in policy advocacy and cross-sector representation is expected to be relevant as the industry engages with policymakers on these priorities.

Leadership Changes and Retirement Plans Across the Sector

Several other announcements during the month highlighted the continued movement of senior executives across the industry.

• ANDRITZ: Dietmar Heinisser resigned from the Executive Board effective September 21 for personal reasons. Having joined the company in 1997 and served on its Executive Board since 2023, he had been responsible for Environment & Energy and Group Manufacturing Management. President and CEO Joachim Schönbeck will assume his responsibilities until further notice.

• Essity: CFO and Executive Vice President Fredrik Rystedt announced his intention to retire during 2027. The company will begin the process of appointing a successor, while Rystedt remains in the role until a replacement is appointed and an orderly handover is completed.

• Sappi North America: Kirk Ross is scheduled to become President and CEO on January 1, 2027, succeeding Mike Haws, who plans to retire in February 2027 after a 40-year career in the pulp and paper industry.

These developments demonstrate that leadership transitions are taking place across different functions, from corporate finance and manufacturing to technology, sales and industry advocacy.

What September’s Appointments Tell Us About the Industry

The month’s announcements reveal several broader priorities across the pulp, paper and packaging sector.

Succession planning is central to business continuity. Companies such as Walki, Kadant and Sappi have outlined transitions with defined timelines, allowing outgoing and incoming leaders to work together and preserve institutional knowledge.

Operational and industry experience remains valuable. Appointments at GAW Technologies, Voith Paper and Kadant highlight the importance of understanding manufacturing processes, industrial technology and customer requirements.

Finance and people management are strategic priorities. Graphic Packaging’s appointments in human resources and accounting, together with Stora Enso’s expanded role for its CFO, illustrate how companies are strengthening the functions that support performance, governance and growth.

Policy engagement continues to matter. Cepi’s appointment of Francesca Stevens reflects the importance of representation on sustainability, circularity, energy and industrial competitiveness as European regulation evolves.