FLSmidth Welcomes Two New Executives to Lead Its Mining Products and Service Business Lines

FLSmidth, a leading global supplier of technology and services to the mining and cement industries, has announced the appointment of two new executives to its Group Executive Management team. Julian Soles will join the company on 1 May 2025 as President, Mining Products Business Line, while Toni Laaksonen will join in the coming months as President, Mining Service Business Line. These appointments are expected to significantly enhance FLSmidth's competitive position in the global mining and cement industries and drive its strategic goals, particularly in relation to its CORE'26 and GREEN'26 initiatives.

Julian Soles brings a wealth of experience in operational and technical innovation within the natural resources and heavy industry sectors, with a strong focus on operations, product development, sustainability, and safety. Throughout his career, he has played a pivotal role in advancing offshore operations, mining technology, and zero-emission solutions for industrial applications. Soles has held several senior leadership positions at Transocean, the world's largest offshore drilling contractor, and global mining company Anglo American. He was most recently CEO of First Mode, where he led a global team in designing, manufacturing, and deploying the world's largest hydrogen-powered mining haul truck and bringing to market the first commercial hybrid solution for ultra-class haulage. Soles holds Bachelor of Engineering and Master of Science degrees in naval architecture and offshore engineering from University College London and an MBA from the University of Houston.

Toni Laaksonen, with his extensive background in business, sales, and service leadership positions at Metso, Outotec, ABB, and Posti Group, has built a track record of profitability improvement and sales growth through organic business development and acquisitions. Under his leadership at Glaston Corporation, the company developed its service offerings and global customer support, as well as increased service sales by restructuring the global sales and service organization. Laaksonen holds a Master of Science degree in technology from Tampere University of Technology and a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from the University of Vaasa.

Mikko Keto, FLSmidth CEO, stated: "We are at a pivotal point in our transformation journey having spent the past few years defining our core business and strengthening our operations to ensure we can drive more consistent value creation. The appointment of Toni and Julian to our Executive Management team advances our ambition to shift towards business growth as we look to become an even stronger partner to our customers. Each of them brings an innovative, customer-first approach to leadership and deep expertise in growing and transforming established global companies."

Once Julian and Toni have joined FLSmidth, Group Executive Management will consist of the following members: Mikko Keto, CEO; Roland M. Andersen, CFO; Cori Petersen, Chief People and Sustainability Officer; Mikko Tepponen, Chief Digital Officer and Chief Operations Officer; Julian Soles, President, Products Business Line; Toni Laaksonen, President, Service Business Line; Pat Turner, President, Pumps, Cyclones and Valves Business Line; and Christopher Ashworth, President, FLSmidth Cement.

FLSmidth is a full flowsheet technology and service supplier to the global mining and cement industries, enabling its customers to improve performance, lower operating costs, and reduce environmental impact. MissionZero is the company's sustainability ambition towards zero emissions in mining and cement by 2030. FLSmidth works within fully validated Science-Based Targets, has a clear commitment to improving the sustainability performance of the global mining and cement industries, and aims to become carbon neutral in its own operations by 2030.

The appointment of Julian Soles and Toni Laaksonen is expected to bring valuable expertise and experience to FLSmidth's Group Executive Management team, driving operational improvements, innovations, and market opportunities. Their leadership will be instrumental in enhancing FLSmidth's competitive position in the global mining and cement industries and contributing to the company's MissionZero sustainability ambition.