Finnish circular economy company Remeo Group Oy operates across the entire materials value chain, transforming waste into recycled raw materials. The company provides waste management services, waste reception and processing, and produces high-quality recycled materials for industrial use. Safety, responsibility, and sustainability are at the core of its operations.
At the end of 2024, Remeo faced a situation that quickly shifted the priorities of its safety work. CEO Panu Routasalo explains how interim leadership helped the company respond rapidly and drive lasting change.
An Unexpected Event Clarified the Need
“In November 2024, a fire broke out at one of Remeo’s waste processing facilities. The incident forced us to pause and assess our safety and compliance practices more comprehensively.”
Although safety had always been an important focus area, the event highlighted the scale of improvements required. It quickly became clear that the organization needed experienced leadership – and fast.
“The need was urgent. We didn’t have time for a lengthy recruitment process. We needed someone who could step in immediately, take ownership of the situation and move things forward operationally.”
Why Interim Executive Manager?
The idea of bringing in an interim manager came from Routasalo himself, and Remeo’s board supported the decision.
“In previous roles, I have worked in organizations that used Interim Executive Managers. I see interim leadership as a strategic tool, not just a temporary solution. It’s an important part of the modern leadership toolkit.”
In Remeo’s situation, a consulting approach would not have been sufficient. “This wasn’t simply an assessment project. We needed a hands-on leader who could operate as part of the management team and take responsibility for implementation”.
Hanna Lehtola was appointed as HSEQ Interim for a six-month assignment.
Clear objectives and full mandate
The goals of the assignment were clearly defined from the outset. The focus areas included assessing the current situation, strengthening safety and compliance structures, establishing new processes and ways of working, and building a comprehensive safety strategy.
“For us, it was important to define a few clear priorities and give the interim executive manager a full mandate. Micromanagement doesn’t work in situations like this. You need a clear direction and trust that an experienced professional will deliver the results.”
During the first months, the focus was on addressing immediate safety risks and strengthening core structures. At the same time, the foundation for a longer-term strategic direction was created.
Tangible results and lasting impact
The assignment progressed according to plan, and the objectives were achieved. A comprehensive safety strategy was developed, urgent workplace safety challenges were addressed, and safety management became more systematic and goal-oriented.
“The greatest added value came from the speed and level of expertise. We would not have been able to recruit someone with this level of experience through a traditional recruitment process, and certainly not this quickly.”
The interim assignment ultimately became a permanent solution. After the six-month engagement, Hanna Lehtola was hired as a permanent member of Remeo’s organization.
“The combination of experience, execution capability and leadership proved to be exactly what we needed.”
The right partner enables fast results
The service provider was Nordic Interim Finland, selected based on prior collaboration and the strength of its executive network.
“The key factor was the ability to find the right person quickly. In situations like this, the start and selection process must be both efficient and high-quality. During the assignment, we didn’t require extensive guidance, but getting the right start was crucial”.
When is Interim the right choice for companies?
According to Routasalo, Interim is particularly valuable in situations where organizations need rapid and decisive change.
“When a company needs to implement major change quickly, e.g., during a crisis, a resource gap or when launching a new business, an Interim Executive Manager works extremely well. The most important factor is that the organization genuinely wants to change, and the leadership team commits to the goal.”
His message to other business leaders is straightforward:
“If you haven’t used interim executives before, it’s worth trying. When used correctly, the benefits can be significant, especially in situations where time and expertise are critical”.