Stockholm (HedgeNordic) – Finnish pension fund Varma has appointed Sampsa Ratia as the director in charge of real estate investments to replace Ilkka Tomperi, who is joining Finnish urban developer and construction company YIT at the beginning of August. Ratia joins Varma from real estate asset management company Avant Asset Management.

Before joining Avant Asset Management in March of 2019, Ratia was responsible for the international operations of Finnish cleantech company LeaseGreen Group. He previously also worked as the group CEO of property management company Corbel and as Head of Asset Management at Aberdeen Asset Management in Finland. Ratia will be taking over the management of Varma’s €4.8 billion property portfolio on August 16. Varma owns approximately 4,200 apartments and dozens of office and business properties.

“Sampsa has very diverse experience in the real estate sector and a strong track record of successful business management.”

“Sampsa has very diverse experience in the real estate sector and a strong track record of successful business management,” comments Varma’s Deputy CEO, Reima Rytsölä. “He will also provide Varma with important transaction expertise.”

“It’s great to join Varma’s organisation and manage the acclaimed real estate investments unit.”

“It’s great to join Varma’s organisation and manage the acclaimed real estate investments unit,” Ratia comments on joining Varma. “Responsible investment and sustainable development are important things to me, and my and Varma’s values are aligned in this respect,” he continues. “I am looking forward to working together with the team towards implementing Varma’s ESG objectives regarding real estate investments and further shaping the content of the portfolio in the desired direction.”