He joined the VALOR Investment Banking team as a trainee in December 2023. Before joining VALOR, Oskari worked as a management consultant and as a research assistant at Aalto University. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the Aalto University School of Economics.
We had the opportunity to interview Oskari and ask him a few questions.
As you have been a part of the VALOR investment banking team for a month now, can you tell me what the most interesting part of your job is?
Certainly! The most interesting part of my job is that I get to step out of my comfort zone daily, which complements my studies perfectly and allows me to develop my skills even in such a short period.
In your opinion, what is VALOR’s top competitive advantage?
In my opinion, VALOR’s top competitive advantage is its collective entrepreneurial mindset, which has been apparent since my first day at the office.
Wishing you a happy new year! How do you feel about the new year, and did you make any New Year’s resolutions?
Thank you! After a relaxing break, I am excited to challenge myself again back at the office. As for New Year’s resolutions, I decided to revisit an old resolution and run a marathon with a close friend.
Sonja Korhonen and Juha Viljakainen implemented several joint client projects over the past two years. Their diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and working methods enriched the collaboration and improved the project outcomes.
Increasing business value for clients is at the core of VALOR’s operations. It comprises deep industry expertise, structural thinking, efficiency, and surpassing expectations.
In each project a team that best meets the client’s needs is assembled. The composition of the team is also influenced by the individual members’ areas of expertise and topics of interest.
Juha Viljakainen, responsible for VALOR’s financial sector clientele, and consultant Sonja Korhonen are typical examples of work partners who often collaborate on projects.
Juha has decades of leadership experience in the financial sector. He has managed business units, been heavily involved in business development, IT development programs, and strategy formulation. Over his twenty-five-year career in the financial sector, Juha has developed an extensive network and solid expertise.
Sonja, on the other hand, has worked in consulting since her student days. Her typical projects have focused on market analyses and operational improvement projects, including procurement and pricing. Over five years, Sonja has acquired strong expertise in conducting analyses and utilising various data collection approaches in client projects.
Efficient methods bring new information
Sonja’s and Juha’s joint projects have all been closely related to the financial sector, such as wealth management and health insurance. Through their collaboration, they have developed efficient working models and methods.
“VALOR’s clients are well-versed in their respective industries and have a sense of where the market is heading,” Sonja explains.
“However, they need facts to base their decisions on, which we aim to provide through our research. We don’t rely only on public sources; in each project we strive to bring genuinely new information, through for instance market research,” she emphasizes.
According to Juha, the layered nature and intertwining of service layers are prominent in many projects, such as in health insurance.
“We consider aspects from multiple perspectives and levels to ensure the strategy covers all layers. We also work closely with the client throughout the process, helping to prioritize the identified improvement measures into a clear implementation plan,” Juha highlights.
Sonja Korhonen has worked in consulting since her student days. She values the flexible work atmosphere and her motivated colleagues at VALOR.
Low hierarchy in project teams
In their joint projects, Juha has naturally assumed overall responsibility due to his extensive industry experience. Sonja is responsible for conducting analyses, while conclusions are reached collaboratively. Depending on the need, the project team may also include additional members.
“When a project starts, we brainstorm ideas together, after which everyone is given relatively free rein to move things forward. The most important is to utilize the full potential of our expertise,” says Juha.
Sonja adds that they meet up regularly to ensure that all streams work seamlessly together.
Project teams usually comprise individuals from various organisational levels, allowing knowledge, skills and best practices to spread throughout the company.
“We cross-collaborate as much as possible so that the best expert is the one who has investigated or has prior knowledge of the issue, not the highest-ranking person. This ensures a low hierarchy in project teams,” Juha notes.
Juha Viljakainen has decades of leadership experience in the financial sector. He joined VALOR to develop consultancy in this field.
Acquaintances welcomed to VALOR
Both Sonja and Juha became interested in joining VALOR through old acquaintances.
“The high level of ambition at both the individual and company levels persuaded me to join VALOR,” Sonja says and praises the work atmosphere. “Additionally, there is flexibility in the amount and content of work within agreed schedules.”
Juha joined VALOR to build the financial sector consulting from scratch. Moving from a large organisation was a new challenge, and after the initial phase, he has truly enjoyed the entrepreneurial work.
“Although the workload is substantial at times, we all find the work meaningful and strive to get things done,” Juha highlights. “We aim to continually improve our operations and therefore, after each project, we evaluate if we could have done something even better.”
VALOR is growing rapidly and regularly hires new talents to join the team.
“The consulting industry offers excellent opportunities for career development,” Sonja reflects. “Additionally, working closely with partners and seniors, who have deep industry experience and extensive networks, is a valuable learning opportunity.”
An educational background in finance or industrial engineering is common at VALOR. These fields prepare well for consulting work, but other higher education degrees are also valued.
“VALOR is a combination of different profiles working together. Our broad expertise and diverse backgrounds enhance our capabilities and ensure the best outcome for our clients,” Juha concludes.
Our new Senior Advisor Timo has over 30 years’ experience of business development and leadership, as well as of change and transformation as a consultant, in line management positions and as a startup investor. He has worked in Scandinavia, in the UK, and in continental Europe and gained specific experience in the ICT, professional services and manufacturing sectors.
Markus joined VALOR as a Principal. He has long experience of ICT, first and foremost from cybersecurity, with experience from weather data and payment processing as well. Markus has been leading R&D and engineering organizations, running operations teams, delivery and support, and being VP & GM for business units. Markus has held management positions at F-Secure, TietoEvry, Vaisala and Enfuce.
Prior to his traineeship at VALOR, Tuomas worked in wealth management at S-Pankki and business banking at Atom Bank. Tuomas’ previous experience is centered mostly on the financial services Industry. Alongside his traineeship, Tuomas is pursuing his Master’s Degree in Finance at Aalto University.
What have you learned during your first weeks at VALOR?
Timo: VALOR is a team of energetic and ambitious individuals where people also seem to have a lot of fun. Joining the team has been smooth and pleasant.
Tuomas: The first few weeks were full of new things, so it’s difficult to mention only a few things. However, I think the main lesson has been that you are always welcome at VALOR to ask anyone for help, regardless of seniority. This is something that has helped me settle in, as it has allowed me to get to know my new colleagues and gather a multitude of different perspectives!
Markus: VALOR has a very experienced team with highly professional integrity and a genuine aim to focus on solving the customer’s problem. I am proud to be part of such a team.
How do you keep yourself lively and energetic during the gloomier fall days?
Timo: I like to stay active through sports and other activities. During this season, family and friends also give you some of that extra energy you need.
Tuomas: The best way to survive the fall months is to actively go to the office rather than work from home. Obviously, it’s good to have a balance and sometimes work from home as well, but for me, the social aspect that the office offers is crucial, especially when it gets darker and colder.
Markus: Exercise and walks with the dog. A bright-light lamp is a great help too!
VALOR is a reliable, competent and trusted advisor in highly demanding needs—something I’d already heard downtown from respected business leaders a few years ago. I decided to follow the development. Meanwhile, the world got even more turbulent, with increasing complexity for companies and respective owners, and I made the connection between the potential, skill base, spirit and results to date with positive trends. Then, I flagged that I wanted to join the team to deliver success to the customers and thereby to VALOR!
I’ve always been bold enough to grasp new things whenever possible. That’s where the beef is right now, and that’s how I’ve gained experience and networks, as well as a realistic approach to must-learn hands-on new approaches without jargon – for example, about tech and data with AI to enable a sustainable competitive advantage. I’ve also realized the need for boldness in raising intuitive ideas, hidden risks or surprising disruptors in the traditional sectors. Today’s winning teams, whether internally or with the customers, need the passion, social skills and capitalized trust to challenge each other. Every day I remember that “Tomorrow wins yesterday!”
Sports provide me with health and both physical and mental everyday strength. Exercise as a hobby brings fresh and inspiring thinking and views into the future. So I actively seek shared sports moments both with customers and internally, perhaps accompanied by a tasty lunch or dinner to deepen dialog and trust. Success is an everyday choice we make!
Ville-Veikko joined VALOR as a Senior Advisor in October 2023. Ville-Veikko has executed growth, transitions and turnarounds in the Nordic finance sector at Varma, Nordea, Tryg, AIG and Sampo. For the past four years, he has run a fast growth data-AI-driven tech company as CEO, continuing there on the board and as CoB with a disruptive digital business at scale. He is also experienced in other board assignments, is active with the National Defence Course and follows the defense sector.
As VALOR continues on a strong growth track, we are proud to announce the designation of six new partners and four other promotions within our team.
“Since its establishment, the idea behind VALOR has been an open and dynamic ownership structure that reflects partners’ roles in the company. As VALOR has doubled in size every four years, it felt natural to also double the number of partners. The freshly appointed partners have each demonstrated their commitment to the long-term development of VALOR, making this a clear and unanimous decision.” – Henrikki Palva, Managing Partner
The following six people have been invited to join the partnership:
It has been a great experience to be a part of VALOR’s growth story in recent years. The growth has been made possible by VALOR’s team’s wide expertise and uncompromising desire to create value for the customer.
– Juha Viljakainen, Partner, Finance
VALOR consists of a great group of people with different complementary expertise. Together with a solution-focused, development-oriented and entrepreneurial culture, VALOR forms an entity that is great to be a part of.
– Kalle Ahlstedt, Partner, Energy
It’s great to witness how VALOR’s supportive culture combined with strong growth has enabled us to advance in our careers and challenge ourselves with new responsibilities also through ownership.
– Johan Matinmikko, Director, Associate Partner
I’m excited for the opportunity to further contribute to our continued growth and success as a company. I look forward to working closely with our talented team to write the next chapter of our story!
– Tuomas Nenonen, Director, Associate Partner
It has been great to experience both my own and VALOR’s growth for five and a half years at VALOR. During this time, I have been able to develop my own professional skills as a consultant in interesting and different projects, which I have been able to do with a motivated and competent team. VALOR has also grown and developed into an even more interesting workplace. In the partner position, it’s great to be even more deeply involved in VALOR’s development.
– Teemu Sirén, Manager, Associate Partner
At VALOR, the mentality has always been to encourage people to grow and take responsibility. The continuous development of the team and business brings exciting opportunities for all of us.
– Tuomas Suomi, Manager, Associate Partner
In addition to the new partners, the following colleagues have been promoted:
The dynamic work environment at VALOR alongside versatile client projects have provided a platform to develop both individually and as a company. I am looking forward to the possibilities ahead together with our colleagues and clients.
– Sonja Korhonen
It is great to work at a place where you are constantly given new challenges, invaluable learnings from your colleagues, and the chance to grow towards the next step in your career. These things make an excellent base at VALOR to keep going forward!
– Anna-Rosa Lehto
I am delighted to be a part of VALOR’s growth and its vibrant culture. Our exceptional colleagues, unwavering commitment to continuous improvement at both organizational and individual levels, and a steadfast focus on serving our customers are attributes that will, without a doubt, drive us forward in the future.
– Jyri Knaapinen
Warm congratulations on the new roles at VALOR.
VALOR constantly gives new challenges and responsibilities the moment one has mastered earlier skills, if not a little before. I find this an extraordinary privilege, and I look forward to being able to bring further value to our clients.
Tuukka has experience from various industries in building strategies, leading transformations and improving current operations efficiency. Prior to VALOR, he worked in EY’s management consultancy practice. Antti, then again, worked at PwC over 6 years and at NREP for one year. He was an Authorized Public Accountant (KHT) and worked as an audit manager at PwC. At NREP, Antti was part of Fund Finance team.
We asked our new colleagues about their thoughts on joining VALOR.
What made you choose to join VALOR at this point of your career?
Tuukka: I knew that VALOR was a great place to challenge yourself and show your competence. However, the key driver for me was getting to work in a Finnish company that has paved a way for itself in a very competitive market and of course to get to be a part of the continuing growth journey.
Antti: Significance and versatility of the work at VALOR is particularly interesting. I like to work and interact with clients thus I felt consulting very interesting option for myself. In my opinion through VALOR’s service offering and know-how, we are genuinely able to help customers to achieve their goals. Overall, VALOR is a fascinating environment where it is possible to develop one’s own intellectual capital through challenging and diverse assignments. Due to the previous points, the transfer to VALOR seemed like a natural solution to me.
What new do you bring to the VALOR team?
Tuukka: Having worked with many other companies gives me a new outside in perspective that I want to leverage to improve the ways of working at VALOR or at least to bring new perspectives to client work we are performing.
Antti: My work life background is a bit different compared to many other VALOR employees. My experience in auditing and real estate fund sectors will certainly bring a different and new perspective to the work, which will benefit both clients and other team members. I also believe that my personality complements VALOR’s great personnel well.
At VALOR, we really enjoy sports, and also like to do sports together. What is your suggestion for our next sports event together?
Tuukka: I have two suggestions, both of which are quite dangerous even if you might not think so, Rugby and Cheerleading. From VALOR’s point of view, I believe that Rugby is easier and safer to implement, so I would like to see how everyone is able to translate their strategies from the office to the field.
Antti: It would be fun to go play tennis with the VALOR team because I need to tone my skills if I am ever going to win my brother in tennis. In addition, outdoor ice hockey would be great activity during winter.
Before VALOR, Iiro completed his master’s thesis in finance and worked in corporate finance. Iiro has previous work experience of operational M&A, corporate finance and private equity.
Prior to joining VALOR, Kustaa graduated with a Bachelor of Science. Kustaa worked previously in the healthcare business focusing on operational/financial analytics and M&As. In addition, he worked as an analyst for a smaller technology company.
Juho completed his master’s degree at Aalto University and worked in management consulting. In his previous roles, Juho worked with financial management, technology strategy consulting and information system selections.
Elias graduated as a Bachelor of Science in industrial engineering and management at Aalto University and worked in pharmaceutical procurement. Elias is continuing his studies in the IEM master’s program at Aalto. Alongside his studies, Elias has gathered experience of procurement and the pharmaceutical industry at Orion.
To find out a bit more about our new colleagues, we asked them a couple of questions.
Why consulting or investment banking?
Kustaa: I have always been interested in solving all kind of challenges and problems. In addition to that, the optimisation of different kinds of tasks has fascinated me. The decision to join consulting was clear because consulting will probably fit well on my interests.
Juho: The diverse and meaningful nature of the day-to-day work! Consulting provides an opportunity to work with interesting and challenging topics that vary depending on the industry and the problem at hand – which makes for a great environment for learning and developing skills at a fast pace. In addition, my past experiences of the industry have been positive, so continuing with consulting felt natural.
Elias: In consulting, I seek various and rewarding professional challenges. I expect it to offer an opportunity to learn about the uniqueness of many industries and companies. On top of this, project-based client work feeds my intellectual curiosity, as the topics at hand change regularly.
Iiro: Ever since I attended my first university courses, I’ve been captivated by M&As, which is why investment banking was a natural choice for me. IB is the beating heart of mergers and acquisitions, allowing you to see various aspects of the M&A process extensively, from target consideration to execution. Although I immensely enjoy the M&A aspect of IB, I believe the best part of IB is the top-notch experts with whom it’s a pleasure to work, and from whom there is always something new to learn.
How was your first day at VALOR? Did anything surprise you?
Kustaa: My first impression of VALOR was excellent, as the great team spirit and warm atmosphere were immediately conveyed in the office. I received a comprehensive introduction to both general and job-related issues, which made it easy to take my first steps as a VALORian. The first impression was in line with my expectations of VALOR, so there were no surprises.
Juho: The first day at VALOR was an enjoyable combination of getting to know my new colleagues and the VALOR ways of working – not to mention the start of actual project work later that day. I was surprised by the informal atmosphere at the office, and how easy it was to become part of the team.
Elias: The first day consisted mainly of getting familiar with the practicalities of work at VALOR and meeting my new colleagues. A pleasant surprise came at the end of the day when I was briefed on my first project. I took part in the kick-off meeting of the project already on the morning of my second day at VALOR.
Iiro: The first day, like those that followed, went by quickly in the delightful company of fantastic colleagues and with interesting tasks. In the first few days, I was already surprised by how varied assignments at VALOR could be, and how you could get involved in them, regardless of seniority.
We are now looking for analyst trainees to join our teams in both management consulting and investment banking.
An ideal candidate for an internship is a master’s level student with a strong academic background, good analytical and social skills, good knowledge of both Finnish and English, and most importantly, has the motivation and drive for professional development.
An internship at VALOR gives you an excellent opportunity to kick-start your future career through working on projects in strategy, growth, and business development, operational improvement and process design and M&A.
What we offer
The opportunity to quickly build on your core consulting skills, from data analysis and synthesis to client communication
Full involvement in the entire life cycle of a project with a dedicated role
Chance to explore and gain experience in multiple industries such as energy, telecom and media, healthcare and financial services
Informal and inclusive work environment
Flexible working possibilities
Competitive compensation and benefits
Mentoring and coaching
The internship is a full-time position lasting 3-5 months. However, the timing and duration of the internship is planned so that it fulfills both your interests and ours. An internship is an excellent steppingstone to a full-time position at VALOR.
How to apply
Send your application via this link by September 17th 2023.
Please indicate your preference between management consulting and investment banking in the headline of the cover letter.
Please include and combine the following documents into one PDF-document:
Cover letter
Curriculum vitae
University grade transcript
Matriculation examination certificate
Recruitment process
Submission of application documents (August 28 – September 17)
First round – Group day (last week of September)
Second round – Individual interview (first week of October)
Final internship recruitment decisions
Case exercises are included in both rounds of the recruitment process – we recommend preparing to the interviews accordingly.
For more information about our firm, our people and the internship, contact Anna-Rosa Lehto (+358 50 431 1449) or any other VALOR employees.
Timo joined VALOR as Senior Advisor in June 2023. He has more than 35 years of diverse experience from various industries of developing new business, establishing new operations, enhancing current operations and growing business operations.
To get to know our new team member a bit more, we asked him a couple of questions:
Now that you have had time to get to know VALOR and your new colleagues, what is your first impression like?
My first impression is very positive and enthusiastic. The company has a lot of expertise and experience from various industries, as well as younger talent and a hunger to learn.
What kind of expectations and goals do you have for your new position at VALOR?
I expect to be able to utilize my previous experience and thus help our customers and colleagues in various assignments.
Tobias, Mikko and Mikael study Industrial Engineering and Management at Aalto University and joined VALOR as trainees. Kasperi studied law abroad and joined VALOR as an associate.
We asked our new colleagues about their thoughts on joining VALOR.
What excites you most about working at VALOR?
Tobias: All the learning opportunities! There are plenty of consultant skills that I plan to develop. Furthermore, as this is my first time in the field of consulting, I’m also eager to see what the job is all about. Being able to do all this while getting hands-on experience in tangible interesting projects is truly something I’m looking forward to.
Mikko: I look forward to working with a skilled team and sharing moments of achievement when working on challenging problems.
Mikael: I am most looking forward to new colleagues and the opportunity to expand and deepen my area of expertise, while improving my working methods.
Kasperi: I’m excited about working on interesting projects with smart and friendly colleagues.
At VALOR, we organize a monthly sports event. What is your favorite sport, and how did you take it up?
Tobias: Definitely football! Although some time has passed since I stopped playing it regularly, I do follow the sport off the pitch, and I’m a fan of FC Bayern Munich. As a German, my father probably had an influence on my younger self’s decision to start the hobby, as football is even more popular in Germany than in Finland.
Mikko: In sports, I look for varied activities. This summer, I’m planning to take up orienteering. I have some good memories of it from childhood, and I feel like I could try getting back into it now. I enjoy spending time in nature, so orienteering might be a good fit for me.
Mikael: My favorite sport is definitely skiing. I got into it at a very young age, as my family likes skiing and being outdoors.
Kasperi: I enjoy all kinds of sporting activities. Recently, I’ve focused on downhill skiing. My parents introduced me to skiing when I was a kid. I think my very first time on the slopes was at Pullinki Ski center in Sweden.
