Marko Helistekangas

About Marko

Marko joined VALOR as a management consultant in August 2022. Before this, he worked as a global consultant at McKinsey & Company and as a strategy analyst at RELEX Solutions.

Expertise

Marko is a generalist with global experience across many industries.

Examples of Marko’s work before VALOR:

  • Analyses and due diligence related to M&A and IPO
  • Cost optimization such as raw material, headcount and SG&A cost optimization
  • Customer satisfaction, customer journey and marketing development
  • Growth strategies and product development strategies
  • KPI metrics defining, dashboard building, target setting and measurement
  • Lean Six Sigma methodology-based improvements such as manufacturing or maintenance optimization
  • Transformations, including diagnostic, planning, implementation and project management office assignments

After joining VALOR, Marko has worked on a variety of assignments, evolving from a consultant to a project manager. He now delivers results directly to clients, typically managing 2-4 projects at once. His high level of customer satisfaction has led to long-lasting relationships.

Examples of recent assignments 11/2024:

  • Cost competitiveness transformation for a public sector construction company, 17 months continuous relationship
  • Facilitation of a strategy process to develop the next 5-years’ strategy, and support with factory investment preparations for a global lifting equipment manufacturer, 5 months continuous relationship
  • Definition of target role of a manufacturing company as a part of a multi-company group, and implementation of the target role, 9 months continuous relationship
  • Preparation and execution of a merger between two energy sector companies, 12 months continuous relationship
  • Holistic post-merger integration of two listed companies, 6 months continuous relationship
  • Carbon capture, utilization and storage planning for district heating plants in Baltics and the United Kingdom
  • Several other strategic projects for different types of clients ranging from local start-ups to global enterprises

Examples of industries in which Marko worked before joining VALOR:

  • Accommodation
  • Basic materials such as pulp & paper and metals
  • Cargo handling
  • Consumer packaged goods and manufacturing
  • Infrastructure & construction
  • Retail & wholesale
  • Software & IT-consulting
  • Wellbeing

Education

Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering and Management from Aalto University with a major in Strategy & Venturing and a minor in Computer Science. The degree was completed with honors.

Outside the office

During his spare time, Marko focuses on holistic wellbeing, including various sports. Besides ball games and weightlifting, Marko’s key interests include motorsports, and he has a long competitive sports history in car racing – for example, in Lamborghini’s GT racing team.