Leadership Changes at the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency: Aare Järvan Recalled, Mari-Liis Küppar Appointed as New Board Member

Leadership Shake-Up at Estonian Business and Innovation Agency

Tallinn, Estonia – In a surprising move, the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency (EIS) has recalled Aare Järvan from its management board, appointing Mari-Liis Küppar as his successor. This decision comes as part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at enhancing Estonia’s international competitiveness.

The announcement, made late Friday afternoon, was tucked away in a brief sentence at the end of a press release, leading to its initial oversight by many in the media. Järvan, who had been overseeing financial services since September 2022, has a rich background in Estonia’s economic landscape, having served as the secretary general of the finance ministry and as an economic advisor to former Prime Ministers Andrus Ansip and Taavi Rõivas.

Source: Siim Lõvi /ERR

Küppar, who will officially take her position on September 1, brings a wealth of experience from her previous role as head of marketing and business development at Omniva. Her extensive background also includes significant roles at Swedbank and Saku brewers, positioning her as a strong candidate to lead EIS’s client-oriented initiatives.

EIS management board chair Ursel Velve expressed confidence in Küppar’s ability to drive the agency’s mission forward. “Through a more client-centered approach, we want to offer companies the most relevant services according to their growth and development needs, and we believe that Mari-Liis is the right person to lead this process,” Velve stated.

The EIS supervisory board, which consists of nine members including vice chair Sandra Särav and former Eesti Energia board chair Hando Sutter, is focused on aligning the agency’s activities with Estonia’s long-term economic goals. The agency was formed in early 2022 through the merger of Enterprise Estonia (EAS) and the state loan agency Kredex, with the aim of positioning Estonia as a competitive player on the global stage.

As the agency embarks on this new chapter, all eyes will be on Küppar to see how her leadership will shape the future of Estonia’s business landscape.

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