Energy Cells names Andrius Gudzinskas as CEO
Energy-industry veteran to head Lithuanian energy storage-system operator
The board of Energy Cells, an operator of energy storage systems and part of the EPSO-G energy group, has appointed Andrius Gudzinskas as the company’s chief executive officer. He begins his five-year term on 27 January.
Andrius has more than 20 years of experience in the energy industry, including electricity and heat generation, renewable-energy project development, production-operations management, energy-infrastructure modernisation and international team leadership. He holds a master’s degree in energy and thermal engineering from Kaunas University of Technology.
Energy storage-system operator Energy Cells provides an isolated operation reserve service that is essential to the security and stability of the Lithuanian electricity system. The electricity storage system managed by the company comprises four identical battery parks, each with a capacity of 50 MW and 50 MWh, located in Vilnius, Šiauliai, and the Alytus and Utena districts.
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Professor Urtė Neniškytė, a distinguished researcher at the Vilnius University Life Sciences Centre and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory Partnership Institute, has been awarded the prestigious European Research Council Consolidator Grant.
This highly competitive grant supports outstanding mid-career researchers and provides funding for groundbreaking scientific discoveries.
The grant will fund research into the role of the glycocalyx—a unique cellular identifier that helps the body distinguish between healthy and damaged cells—in brain function and neurological diseases.
The research is expected to open new pathways for diagnosing and treating brain disorders, potentially leading to significant advancements in neuroscience and medicine.
Vilnius University Life Sciences Centre
Viola Mickos has joined the Interreg Central Baltic secretariat as its programme manager responsible for ensuring the effective capitalisation of project and programme results.
Viola is a former national Interreg contact point for Finland and has already contributed to its work.
She will be responsible for consulting project applicants and supporting projects at all stages.
Her new position will allow her to draw on her background in communication and project advisory and to promote the Baltic Sea region through cross-border co-operation.
Interreg Central Baltic Programme
Connect with Viola on LinkedIn
Johanna Puhtila has joined the Interreg Central Baltic secretariat as its programme manager for the circular economy.
Johanna will be responsible for consulting project applicants and supporting projects at all stages.
Her new position will allow her to draw on her experience designing and leading international projects aimed at improving the competitiveness of firms interested in doing business in global environment.
Interreg Central Baltic Programme
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Markus Helavuori has been appointed deputy director general of the CBSS Secretariat.
He has 20 years of experience in policy and regulation at national and international levels. He has been with Helcom since 2018, and is currently the deputy executive-secretary and professional secretary, responsible for matters related to sea-based activities.
In addition working for the IMO, Markus help positions in the Finnish administration for more than seven years, contributing to legislative and policy development and representing Helsinki in international negotiations within the IMO, the EU and Helcom.
Markus holds a master’s degree in environmental and marine biology from Åbo Akademi University.
Marcus begins his new position on 1 April.
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Artis Grinbergs has been appointed chairman of Latvijas Dzelzceļš (LDz), the Latvian state railway.
Prior to starting in his new role, Artis was chair of Pasažieru Vilciens, a transport firm, and deputy-chair of Sakret Holdings, a maker of building materials.
He has previously served on the board of the Freeport of Riga and held other senior positions in private and public sectors.
Artis holds master’s in management from the Faculty of Business, Management and Economics of the University of Latvia, and is pursuing his doctoral studies in business administration at BA School of Business and Finance.
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LKAB has appointed Magnus Karlsson as its new chief financial officer. In his role as CFO, Magnus will serve as a member of the group management team. He begins in the position at the start of the third quarter.
Magnus most served as CFO for commercial operations at Scania. Prior to that, he held several financial leadership positions in areas such as controlling, treasury and accounting.
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Mari Parkkila of the GeroNursing Centre at the University of Oulu has received a €30,000 grant from Päivikki and Sakari Sohlberg Foundation for her doctoral-dissertation research.
The aim of the research is to describe the competence of nurses in restorative care of older patients in geriatric hospital wards and the effectiveness of nurses’ educational intervention on older patients’ need for healthcare services and readmission.
The goal is also to produce information for the development of nursing work on restorative care of older patients in hospitals and health centers wards. The education is developed in the GeroNursing Centre, and it is based on scientific knowledge and is online training.
The GeroNursing Centre (GNC) is a centre of research and expertise at the University of Oulu, providing research, education and networks for both the successful aging of older adults and the well-being at work of health care professionals. The GeroNursing Centre represents the best-available evidence-based expertise and practices in the field.
Leena Rantasalo has been appointed as vice-president, communications and brand for VTT. She moves to the position after having headed VTT’s internal and external communications, media relations and the communications team since 2018. Previously, she headed development of VTT’s culture.
In her role as vice-president, Leena will lead and develop VTT’s strategic communications and brand, in alignment with the company’s business goals and strategy, reputation management and crisis communications and capabilities.
As a vice-president, Leena is a member of VTT’s commercial-operations leadership team.
Connect with Leena on LinkedIn
Pirjo Juntunen has joined BusinessOulu as a key account director for social and health services. With extensive experience collaborating with companies and partners in workforce and economic development, both domestically and internationally, Pirjo brings a wealth of knowledge to the BusinessOulu team.
In her new role, Pirjo will focus on supporting businesses, assisting them with business development, growth strategies and navigating change. She is also committed to aiding companies in recruiting skilled personnel and enhancing employee competencies.
Pirjo holds a degree in social sciences and has completed an executive MBA. Her professional background includes leadership and specialist positions, where she has demonstrated a solution-oriented approach and a passion for fostering business growth.
Arenijus Jackus has been appointed as the new chair of the supervisory board of RB Rail AS.
Arenijus Jackus brings a wealth of expertise to his new role as chair. Holding a master’s degree in transport engineering economics and management from Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, he has been deeply involved with the Rail Baltica project since its inception. Currently serving as the Chief Rail Baltica Lietuva officer at LTG, Arenijus has dedicated over 14 years to leadership roles within the public sector.
His extensive experience spans strategic planning and finance, EU-investment administration, project implementation, international relations and EU affairs, gained during his tenure at the ministry of transport and communications, which began in 1997.
Beyond his government roles, Arenijus has held prominent governance positions, including chair of the management board at Kaunas Airport, member of the supervisory board of LTG Infra and board positions with Klaipėda State Seaport Authority, Oro Navigacija and Rail Baltica.
His appointment marks the continuation of the rotational leadership structure that ensures equitable representation among Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, the three member states of the Rail Baltica joint venture.
Connect with Arenijus on LinkedIn