Ari-Pekka Laxén

Chief Operating Officer at Defence Properties Finland

Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland

About

I am a business leader with over 25 years of experience in the building services industry, with a strong focus on developing and scaling SME businesses. My background spans design, contracting, sales and sales leadership, as well as client-side roles, providing me with a hands-on and holistic understanding of value creation across the entire business lifecycle. I have been involved in launching and developing both regional and nationwide businesses, building scalable operating models, and supporting organizations through growth and change. In SME board roles, I bring clarity to strategic decision-making, customer-driven business development, and a pragmatic focus on profitability and sustainable growth. In addition to board positions, I am also interested in business development and organizational development roles where my experience can support transformation, growth, and improved performance — especially in contexts where strong domain expertise meets data-driven leadership and applied AI. Key themes and areas of expertise: Value-based pricing | Solution Selling | Deep Lead | ESCO | Partnership models | After-sales business | Property maintenance | BMS | HVAC

Experience

  • Puolustuskiinteistöt (6 yrs 7 mos)
    • Chief Operating Officer
      Jan 2021 - Present · 5 yrs 7 mos

    • Chief Operating Officer
      Jan 2020 - Dec 2020 · 1 yr

      National responsibility for leading and developing large-scale real estate maintenance businesses, covering cleaning, property and technical services (HVAC, energy services) as well as customer support center operations. Accountable for financial planning, profitability, and contract management. Annual turnover approx. €200M.

  • Construction Establishment of Defence Administration (7 yrs 11 mos)
    • Director of department (Real estate maintenance)
      Oct 2015 - Jan 2020 · 4 yrs 4 mos

      Responsibility for developing and scaling real estate maintenance businesses, covering cleaning, property and technical services, energy services, and customer support center operations. Accountable for financial planning, operational performance, and profitability. Annual turnover approx. €100M.

    • Project Director
      Mar 2012 - Oct 2015 · 3 yrs 8 mos

      Led and developed strategic projects within real estate maintenance and energy services, including preventive maintenance programs, harmonization of HVAC maintenance, CMMS modernization, centralization of support functions, service concept development, and establishment of a centralized Help Desk. Accountable for integrating operational management across regional organizations, developing and maintaining electronic maintenance and ERP systems, and scaling Help Desk operations.

  • Schneider Electric Buildings Finland Oy (4 yrs 1 mo)
    • Sales Director, One Solution Provider
      Jan 2011 - Feb 2012 · 1 yr 2 mos

      Led the development and harmonization of sales processes, covering CRM, sales performance metrics, target setting, and sales enablement materials. Coordinated cross–business unit sales operations across Schneider Electric Finland, with strategic responsibility for BMS and security business. Chaired the Sales Steering Group in Finland and represented Finland in the European Sales Focus Group.

    • Regional Director
      Feb 2008 - Dec 2010 · 2 yrs 11 mos

      Led the development and growth of the BMS business in Eastern Finland, with full operational responsibility for the business unit. Accountable for public procurement compliance, people management, and financial performance. Owned sales and marketing strategy and led and coordinated all sales activities within the business unit.

  • Business Unit Director at TAC Finland Oy
    Nov 2003 - Jan 2008 · 4 yrs 3 mos

    Led the establishment and growth of the ESCO business in Finland, with full operational responsibility for the business unit. Accountable for public procurement compliance, people management, and financial performance. Owned sales and marketing strategy and led all sales activities for the ESCO business in Finland.

  • Manager of planning department (electrical engineering ) at Engineering office Granlund Vaasa Ltd
    Nov 2001 - Oct 2003 · 2 yrs

    Provided planning and consultancy services within building services engineering (HVAC), with a focus on energy management development. Contributed to marketing, business development, and management activities.