Heikki Veijola Appointed CEO of Hilla Villas Oy

Hilla Villas, a company specializing in premium villa rentals in Lapland, has appointed Heikki Veijola as its Chief Executive Officer. Previously, Veijola served as CEO of QPR Software Oyj, a company listed on the Nasdaq OMX Helsinki stock exchange. Prior to that, he worked as Director of Strategic Partnerships and Sales Director at Enreach Oy. Earlier in his career, Veijola also held leadership positions for many years in the marketing and advertising agency sector.

Following strong growth in Lapland’s short-term accommodation market, Hilla Villas’ recently concluded winter season increased the company’s cumulative booking volume to more than five million euros. The company’s business growth is currently between 250 and 500 percent annually, depending on the metric used. The future potential for scaling the business still lies ahead, and the company is investing significantly in growth.

“During our first three years of operations, we moved from the garage to the fast lane, and this past winter season we found ourselves accelerating onto the motorway. At this stage, it is fantastic to have Heikki’s extensive experience on board. He has a strong track record in growing and scaling businesses through the effective use of technology. Hilla Villas’ growth ambitions remain high, and with Heikki we believe our rapid progress will continue in the years ahead. With our TotalHost service concept, we aim to become the undisputed leader in villa asset management in Lapland by connecting properties with high-value international short-term rental guests,” says Esa Laurila, Chairman of the Board of Hilla Villas.

“The strong growth of tourism in Lapland and increasing international demand create an exceptionally attractive opportunity for Hilla Villas to build a leading position in the premium accommodation market. The company has already demonstrated the viability of its concept and achieved impressive growth. I look forward to working with the team, owners, and partners to build the company’s next phase of growth. At the same time, it is particularly exciting to work in an industry that is closely connected to my long-standing relationship with Lapland and the northern wilderness,” says Heikki Veijola, the new CEO of Hilla Villas.

Jarmo Oksaharju, the outgoing CEO of Hilla Villas, will ensure a smooth onboarding and transition for Heikki Veijola during the summer. Jarmo Oksaharju will continue as a partner of Hilla Villas.

Further information:
Heikki Veijola, Hilla Villas Tel. +358 40 922 6029 heikki.veijola@johanna-kivihillavillas-comEsa Laurila, Hilla Villas Tel. +358 40 078 7207 esa.laurila@hillavillas.com

Hilla Villas Oy rents high-end villas in Lapland, one of the world’s most magical travel destinations. Its portfolio covers all major tourism centers in the region. Hilla Villas’ mission is to strengthen the appeal of Lapland and captivate both domestic and international travelers with unforgettable experiences. The company’s owners have strong ties to northern tourism and experience services. In addition to private shareholders, the ownership base includes Bo LKV, one of Finland’s most respected real estate agencies, and Alma Media Oyj, a publicly listed media company.