Our alum Kari Neilimo: Combination of theory and practice in economics has led to interesting positions throughout decades

Kari Neilimo’s career spans a wide range of roles, from academic research and professorships to advisory positions, board memberships and entrepreneurship in strategic management and financial administration consulting. He has made a significant contribution to the growth and success of the S Group, a major Finnish customer-owned network of retail and service companies. His leadership roles have included CEO of the SOK Corporation, Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the SOK Supervisory Board, as well as Chairman of the Board of the regional Pirkanmaan Osuuskauppa cooperative. He has also served as Chairman of the Board of Yle, Finland’s public service media company. He has been awarded the prestigious Finnish honorary title of ‘vuorineuvos’ for his contributions. 

Kari Neilimo has maintained a strong connection with Tampere University ever since his student years. He has served as Chairman of the Board of the former University of Tampere, chaired the Strategic Steering Committee that oversaw the Tampere3 project preceding the establishment of the Tampere Universities community, and acted as a long-standing advocate and fundraiser for the University. He has also represented the University of Tampere Foundation. 

Kari speaks warmly about the active role alumni can play and encourages everyone to support the University and education – each in a way that best suits them. 

Theory is the best practice 

Kari Neilimo’s interest in business economics began during his upper secondary school years, when summer jobs at various companies sparked his curiosity about business, economics and society in general. In 1965, after graduating from upper secondary school, he chose to study at the newly established Faculty of Economics and Administration at the former University of Tampere. His degree programme covered a combination of subjects, including national economics, business economics, public administration, methodology and data processing – then a pioneering field. Although Neilimo had also been accepted to a business school, he opted for Tampere, drawn by the innovative and interesting combination of subjects that the University offered. 

“Our key professors were young and enthusiastic at the time, and I soon realised there was a very dynamic spirit within our Faculty. It was an inspiring academic environment with a close-knit, familial atmosphere. The quality of teaching was excellent and delivered with a personal touch. We also had the flexibility to combine various subjects within our degree programmes,” he reminisces.

Our key professors were young and enthusiastic at the time, and I soon realised there was a very dynamic spirit within our Faculty. It was an inspiring academic environment with a close-knit, familial atmosphere. The quality of teaching was excellent and delivered with a personal touch. We also had the flexibility to combine various subjects within our degree programmes."

Kari Neilimo

Immersed in his studies, Kari quickly completed his master’s degree by the end of 1969 – perhaps too quickly, he reflects in hindsight. Despite the pace, he managed to work alongside his studies and also enjoy student life. The business students’ association, Boomi, was an important community for him, and today he is proud to be one of its two honorary members. 

After completing his master’s degree, Kari continued his studies and earned a doctoral degree in 1975. This marked the beginning of a long and distinguished career in academia, including professorships in business economics at the University of Tampere, the University of Lapland and Lappeenranta University of Technology. He also served as a visiting lecturer and professor at several universities abroad. 

Despite his strong theoretical expertise and background, Kari Neilimo considers himself ultimately practice-oriented. Perhaps one of the key factors behind his success has been his ability to seamlessly integrate theory and practice throughout his career. 

“One of the professors supervising my doctoral thesis was Chancellor Jaakko Honko from Helsinki School of Economics, an all-rounder whom I greatly admire. I think he expressed it perfectly: theory is the best practice. Later in life, I have found this to be true.” 

ABC and other success stories 

Beyond his academic achievements, Kari has pursued a wide range of ventures in the business world. One particularly impressive and impactful chapter of his career began in the 1980s, when he was invited to join the cooperative business sector. Accepting a seat on the Board of the regional Pirkanmaan Osuuskauppa cooperative led him down an unexpected path. 

Over the following decades, Kari played a central role in the development of SOK, a major Finnish retail and service corporation. Under his leadership, the regional cooperative owners were guided from challenging circumstances towards remarkable success. He joined the Board of Pirkanmaan Osuuskauppa in 1988 and, from 1991 onwards, chaired the SOK Supervisory Board. In 2002, he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of SOK, a position he held for five years. 

 “Initially, I was tasked with reforming the S Group’s management system – in collaboration with others, of course. The S Group as we know it today was shaped by the strategic alliance formed between SOK and the regional cooperatives through the management system reform implemented in the 1990s. Another major reform during my time with the S Group was redefining the cooperative model itself, introducing the concept of modern customer ownership. We also founded S-Bank and began offering purchase-based bonuses to customers,” Kari says. 

Initially, I was tasked with reforming the S Group’s management system – in collaboration with others, of course. The S Group as we know it today was shaped by the strategic alliance formed between SOK and the regional cooperatives through the management system reform implemented in the 1990s. Another major reform during my time with the S Group was redefining the cooperative model itself, introducing the concept of modern customer ownership. We also founded S-Bank and began offering purchase-based bonuses to customers."

Kari Neilimo

During this dynamic period, the S Group expanded significantly, acquiring chains such as Spar, Esso and Holiday Inn. Just before the turn of the millennium, the group decided to establish its first service station stores. The concept quickly gained popularity and led to the creation of the nationwide ABC chain. S-Bank was established, the fuel procurement company NEOT was founded, and ownership of the Inex procurement company was transferred to the S Group. 

“I had the opportunity to work in fascinating roles that offered a front-row seat to many sectors, such as the hospitality and restaurant industries and service station business. I believe trust was a key factor in our success. The national SOK Corporation and the regional cooperatives had previously operated separately, lacked mutual trust, and disagreed on the division of roles within the S Group. We managed to shift that mindset, foster collaboration and find strength in unity. Personally, I see myself primarily as a team leader. Our achievements were the result of collective effort,” Kari says. 

Kari’s career also features another notable “ABC” concept. Students have also come to know it through the General Executive MBA Programme, which was co-created by Kari Neilimo and Professor Juha Näsi and implemented by Tampere University. Kari not only led this programme but also taught in it. 

“I have summarised the essentials of successful corporate management using the acronym ‘ABC’. ‘A’ stands for ‘Academy’, representing theoretical knowledge. ‘B’ is for ‘Business’, referring to industry-specific expertise. ‘C’ stands for ‘Consulting’, which reflects decision-making ability. Together, these elements form a guiding principle for effective leadership,” Kari explains. 

Kari points out that the integration of education, research and practical work has been a guiding principle throughout his career. Even today, his days are spent in familiar duties: in various board roles in companies and associations, as a consultant in venture capital activities, and contributing his expertise for the benefit of the third sector. 

“Tampere University remains my dear alma mater – it is a feeling deeply rooted within me. I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to support the University’s development, participate in fundraising, and help recruit founding members for the Tampere University Foundation through my networks. I have had the privilege of working with wonderful people in a positive atmosphere at the University, while also reflecting on my own experiences in the business world. I think Tampere University is just great.” 

Tampere University remains my dear alma mater – it is a feeling deeply rooted within me. I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to support the University’s development, participate in fundraising, and help recruit founding members for the Tampere University Foundation through my networks. I have had the privilege of working with wonderful people in a positive atmosphere at the University, while also reflecting on my own experiences in the business world. I think Tampere University is just great."

Kari Neilimo

“Promoting the University can be as simple as talking about it – who speaks for the University makes a real difference. The same holds true for fundraising: small streams can grow into mighty rivers,” Kari Neilimo says. 

Lasting interest in the retail sector  

Today, board memberships occupy a substantial portion of Kari’s time. He serves as Chairman of the Board at both Särkänniemen Kehitys Oy and Masku Kalustetalo Oy and sits on the boards of several mid-sized companies, including Purso Oy and Tampereen Tiivisteteollisuus Oy. Kari also holds board positions at Den Group Oy and Touring Cars Oy, as well as Finnish Operation Center Oy which supports Finnish companies in entering the NATO defence market. 

A new book on board work, co-authored by Kari Neilimo and Hannu Kuusela, is set to be published in the autumn of 2025. Kari has previously co-written Kaupan huiput (ALMA Talent, 2022) with Hannu Kuusela, Lasse Mitronen and Heikki Peltola. His interest in writing is also evident in the frequent posts he publishes on LinkedIn. In 2024, a biography titled Strategist – The Career and Life of Kari Neilimo was published, written by Hanna Seiko Salo and released by Jonny Kniga (WSOY). 

Text: Tiina Leivo, Lumi Hannula