University Of Helsinki Appoints Director Of Properties And Facilities

Marita Rovamo has been appointed the new Director of Properties and Facilities at the University of Helsinki. She will assume her new position on 15 May 2023, while the previous director, Teppo Salmikivi, will retire on 31 July.

Rovamo’s previous positions include Unit Director at Are Oy (2021–2023) as well as Director of Schools and Life Cycle Projects (2020–2021) and Head of Planning (2018–2020) at Lehto Group Oyj. Prior to this, she served as Construction Project Manager at Senate Properties (2013–2018), also carving out a long career at the Oulu region joint authority for education, for example, as Real Estate Director (2002–2013).

“Marita has extensive experience in the various areas of financial real estate management and facilities, as well as strong management experience in both the private and public sectors. I’m happy to have Marita join our team of top-level professionals,” Director of Administration Esa Hämäläinen says.

Rovamo is looking forward to working with University staff and students, developing facilities that support the University’s strategic goals and promoting wellbeing and learning.

“It’s a great honour and responsibility. I believe I have a lot to give to this position, as I have for a long time worked in the real estate sector and gained diverse experience in a range of facility projects and the life-cycle management of properties. I wish to be part of the University community and learn something new every day,” Rovamo says.

According to Director of Administration Hämäläinen, members of the University community have great expectations for facilities, not least now that digitalisation is transforming our ways of working and studying.

“While our building stock is extensive, our financial leeway is limited. The facilities programme currently being updated is an important tool for prioritising future measures,” Hämäläinen notes.