Mr Sundström had been deputy CEO since July last year, and chief financial officer and executive vice-president for a year prior to that.

He had previously been chief financial officer with a variety of companies, including Ericsson, and in 2004, 2005 and 2006 he was named best chief financial officer in Europe by Institutional Investor magazine.

"Karl-Henrik Sundström has wide global experience in manufacturing industries and a solid background in financial management," said Stora Enso chairman Gunnar Brock. "As an internal choice, he brings continuity to the management of the company and to the strategic path the company has chosen."