Marimekko, the renowned Finnish design house famous for its bold prints and patterns, has announced a significant management change. Noora Laurila has been appointed as the Senior Vice President of Sales in the West region and will also join the company’s Management Group. This region includes Marimekko’s domestic market in Finland, as well as Scandinavia, the entire EMEA region, and North America. Laurila, who is 39 years old, will begin her new role on September 14th and will directly report to President and CEO Tiina Alahuhta-Kasko.
Laurila joins Marimekko from L’Oréal, where she has held various leadership positions in Finland and the Nordic countries since 2008. Currently responsible for Nordic business development, Laurila brings a wealth of experience in sales, product portfolio management, and brand development to her new role.
Marimekko has made the strategic decision to restructure its sales leadership model by dividing it into two regions. The West region, led by Laurila, covers a vast and critical market for the company. In contrast, the East region will encompass Asia-Pacific. While Marimekko has yet to announce a leader for the East region, the search for a Senior Vice President is currently in progress.
CEO Tiina Alahuhta-Kasko states that this restructuring aims to strengthen Marimekko’s international growth capabilities. By providing closer support to key market areas with their distinct business models and stages of brand development, the company seeks to enhance its global presence and market share.
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Marimekko has continued to experience profitable growth in recent years. The appointment of Noora Laurila and the restructuring of the sales leadership model highlight the company’s commitment to sustaining and expanding its success in the international market.
In addition to this announcement, Marimekko revealed last month that Chief Sales Officer Dan Trapp will be stepping down from his role on August 2nd due to personal reasons. Trapp will be venturing into his own consultancy within the sports industry, based in Bordeaux, France.
With the addition of Noora Laurila to the team and the ongoing search for a leader in the East region, Marimekko is poised to further solidify its position as a global leader in design and lifestyle. Embraced by customers worldwide for its iconic prints and timeless aesthetic, Marimekko continues to captivate and inspire.
