eQ Group Appoints Pertti Vanhanen as Director of International Business
HELSINKI and LONDON — Finnish asset manager eQ Group announced on March 2, 2026, the appointment of Pertti Vanhanen as Director, International Business, and as a member of the firm's Management Team. Vanhanen will be based across both London and Helsinki as eQ Group pursues an international expansion strategy targeting institutional investors in private equity and real estate.
Background and Experience
Vanhanen brings an extensive background in real estate investment, most recently serving as Chief Executive Officer for the European and Singapore operations of Australian firm Cromwell Property Group. Prior to that role, he held multiple senior leadership positions at UK-based asset management firm Aberdeen between 2002 and 2020.
"I warmly welcome Pertti to eQ. His strong track record in value creation in international real estate markets, combined with his solid expertise and international experience, brings an excellent addition to our entrepreneurial and committed team. I believe that Pertti, Kasperi and Sara together with the entire eQ team will put our international business on a strong growth path," said Jouko Pölönen, CEO of eQ Plc.
Vanhanen added: "It is an honour to join eQ's skilled team and be part of the story, and to bring my expertise to our investor clients and a growing Finnish company. The eQ team has done great work in the real estate and PE sectors, and investing in internationalisation is a natural next strategic step. I believe our existing products are attractive to international investors as well. At the same time, we are exploring other opportunities to expand our international business."
Building an International Team
Vanhanen's appointment follows a broader pattern of international hiring at eQ Group. In summer 2025, the firm appointed Kasperi Putkonen — previously with Goldman Sachs in London — as Director responsible for international sales. Around the same time, Sara Hedberg Chance, formerly Managing Director at Altamar Capital Partners, joined eQ as a partner. Together, Vanhanen, Putkonen, and Hedberg Chance form the core of eQ's international business development effort.
eQ Group's 2030 Strategy
The hire is explicitly tied to eQ Group's 2030 strategy, which targets growth through expansion into international markets and institutional clients, with a particular focus on private equity and real estate investments.
eQ Plc is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki. For further information, the firm has directed inquiries to CEO Jouko Pölönen, Chief HR and Communications Officer Taina Kyllönen, and Pertti Vanhanen directly.
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