organisation
Governance
The Finnish National Opera and Ballet (FNOB) is governed by the Foundation of the Finnish National Opera and Ballet. In adherence with regulations, the governing bodies of the foundation are the Board of Directors, the Supervisory Board, and the CEO with the title of General Director.
The Board of Directors, which is elected for a three-year term, is responsible for allocating funds, appointing directors, and setting the overall strategy and repertoire policy according to the Foundations Act. The Supervisory Board is responsible for overseeing good governance, approving the annual report and financial statements, and managing the public affairs of the FNOB.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors of the Finnish National Opera and Ballet is responsible for allocating funds, appointing directors, and setting the overall strategy and repertoire policy. The Board of Directors has 9 members. The Ministry of Education and Culture appoints the Chair of the Board and 4 members for a three-year term. The municipalities of Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa appoint 4 members in total. In addition to this, there are 3 board members appointed by the FNOB personnel who have the right to attend and speak, but not to vote, at board meetings.
Board membership from the conclusion of the Annual Meeting on 23 April 2025 until the end of the Annual Meeting in April 2028.
Members appointed by the Ministry of Education and Culture (5)
Kim Ignatius, Professional board member, Chair of the Board
Riitta Björkenheim, Development Director, Vice Chair of the Board
Eija Hakakari, Human Resources Director
Erkki Helaniemi, LL.B.
Heidi Hietala, M.Sc. (Economics), Entrepreneur
Member appointed by Espoo City (1)
Henrik Vuornos, MP
Members appointed by Helsinki City (2)
Minna Lindgren, Author, Journalist
Tatu Rauhamäki, Director
Member appointed by Vantaa City (1)
Jukka Hako, M.A.
Other members:
Staff representatives (3, right to attend and address, no vote)
Pasi Eskelinen, Prompter
Tuomo Järvimäki, Specialist Structural Designer
Timo Pulakka, Orchestra Musician
Presenting official (no vote)
Gita Kadambi, General Director
Secretary to the Board (no vote)
Anita Prusila, General Counsel
Supervisory Board
The Supervisory Board manages the public affairs of the Finnish National Opera and Ballet, approves the annual report and financial statements, and ensures good governance. The Supervisory Board comprises 17 full members. The members and deputy members are appointed by the Ministry of Education and Culture, the municipalities in the Greater Helsinki Area, and the Supervisory Board itself. The Supervisory Board also has three members appointed by the FNOB personnel, who have the right to attend and speak, but not to vote.
Board membership from the conclusion of the Annual Meeting on 23 April 2025 until the end of the Annual Meeting in April 2028.
Members appointed by the Ministry of Education and Culture (8)
Ritva Elomaa, MP, Chair of the Supervisory Board
Eeva-Johanna Eloranta, MP
Inka Hopsu, MP
Mai Kivelä, MP
Hanna Kosonen, MP
Milla Lahdenperä, MP
Tiina Sinkkonen, Vocal pedagogue
Henrik Wickström, MP
Members appointed by Espoo City (21
Henrik Haapajärvi
Members appointed by Helsinki City (2)
Hilkka Ahde, Nursery teacher
Juhana Vartiainen, Mayor, Vice Chair of the Supervisory Board
Member appointed by Kauniainen City (1)
Will serve on the board until the end of the current City Board term on 31 May 2025;
Veronica Rehn-Kivi, Chair of the City Board
Members appointed by Vantaa City (2)
Lauri Kaira, Director
Säde Tahvanainen, Chair of the City Council
Members appointed by staff (3)
(right to attend and address, no vote)
Anu Varjonen, Customer Service Officer
Mikko Toukola, Stage Technician
Juha Moisio, Opera Singer
Secretary to the Supervisory Board: Anita Prusila, General Counsel
Management Team
The FNOB receives government funding
Finnish society supports opera and ballet art to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy performances. Our strategy is guided by the vision “Opera and Ballet for All”: we want to be more present and open to people. At the heart of our operations are our audiences, both new and existing: the threshold to opera and ballet art should be as low as possible. We want to reach people more broadly, both digitally and through events on-site. It is important for us to be a significant actor in the surrounding society.
During 2024, Finnish National Opera and Ballet engaged with 0.7 million audience members. This includes visitors to performances and events, participants in audience outreach activities, as well as viewers of Finnish National Opera and Ballet live streams and recordings from the Stage24 service, and television and radio broadcasts. The occupancy rate for paid performances, in all venues, was 85% (89/2023).
Finnish National Opera and Ballet’s annual operating costs for core activities decreased to EUR 75.2 million, a 2% year-on-year decrease (76.9/2023). Net operating costs, taking into account central government rent subsidies, were EUR 61.4 million (64.8/2023). A total of 51% (52/2023) of operating costs were covered by central government grants, and the share of self-financing was 23% (24/2023).
The municipalities in the Greater Helsinki Area (Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa, and Kauniainen) provided additional grant funding totalling 7% of the budget, calculated on a pro rata basis using visitor numbers from each municipality. Central government funding covered 18% of the rent on the Opera House building, which is owned by Senate Properties, along with 1% of the total running costs of the Ballet School.
Personnel costs make up 65% of the total operating costs, as creating a performance requires plenty of hands-on work. The Finnish National Opera and Ballet has almost 300,000 visitors per year.
