Juha-Matti Virkkula will play a key role in Hedengren’s development of smart and sustainable IT solutions. The aim is to create innovative solutions supporting business and boosting the Group’s expansion in the Nordic countries.
Innovative digital services will play an important role in the future development of building and security technology, which is why Hedengren Group wanted to hire someone who could assume overall responsibility for IT development. Newly recruited Business IT Director Juha-Matti Virkkula will take the lead to create integrated IT services that not only support business but also form service packages sold to the customer.
One of Virkkula’s first tasks is providing the Group with a unified model that helps develop even better services.
“We will start thinking about service development from the point of view of just Hedengren instead of different functions providing services independently.”
Technological development keeps bringing new opportunities that can only be seized when our own digital tools are up to date.
“IT is about enabling things. The Group’s IT architecture will be updated to better meet the development needs of different functions. We must have the best tools to be able to produce and develop services for our customers,” says Virkkula.
Development and growth of digital services in the Nordic countries requires proper IT support
Up to this point, Hedengren has had a centralised approach to IT, based on the management of joint systems and IT support services under the supervision of CFO Richard Winqvist. Creating the new role was a strategic decision, reflecting the increased importance of IT and the expansion of scope.
“In line with our strategy, we are building a home market and seeking growth in all Nordic countries – particularly with services. Developing and offering digital services in Finland and other Nordic countries will be critical for the Group’s success, and it is the Business IT Director’s responsibility to develop the IT capabilities with this in mind. We will also need insight into the use of AI and automation in business and our processes,” says Winqvist.
Aiming to be a leader in sustainability
Juha-Matti Virkkula is a member of the Group’s management group, responsible for digital service development, overall architecture as well as data protection and data security. In addition to ensuring that all activities support Hedengren’s objectives in a comprehensive manner, the Business IT Director will assume responsibility for the strategic management of third-party cloud services and other IT services.
“One of the new opportunities I see is the creation of innovative IT solutions for measuring ESG goals and sustainability as well as enriching product data. Hedengren has the opportunity to be a pioneer, setting new standards for information sharing and promoting smart building,” says Virkkula.
Thanks to his over 20 years of experience in the IT sector, as well as recent experience in Smart Building technology and the digitalisation of construction and properties, he has unique insight into how Hedengren’s IT services should be developed.
“I have always tried to be the person who identifies business needs and develops digital services around them. Hedengren is offering me an unparalleled opportunity to develop IT solutions that support the company’s long-term objectives,” concludes Virkkula.
About Juha-Matti Virkkula
- Age: 43
- Nickname: Juhis
- Career: Most recently, construction process digitalisation and technical solutions for the Smart Building concept at YIT. Managerial positions in information management and IT services in various companies.
- Education: MSc student. Specialist Qualification in Management.
- Major projects: Smartest Building Award 2021 – YIT Workery+ Vallila. 2015 One of Finland’s first Chief Digital Officers. 2013–2015 Fonecta’s digitalisation and cloud migration as part of a globally recognised architecture team.