Uolevi Raade
Encyclopedia
Uolevi Raade was a Finnish
industrialist and a long-time managing director of Neste
(now Neste Oil), the Finnish national oil refining company.
Raade was born in Turku
, and received university degrees from Helsinki University of Technology
(TKK) and Åbo Akademi. At TKK, he was one of the founders of the student flying club
. During the Second World War he initially served as a fighter pilot, but was soon transferred into the industry. In 1945, he was appointed the director of Ministry of Trade and Industry, where he planned the payment of war reparations stipulated by the Soviet Union.
Already in this role he was involved in the founding of the Finnish oil industry. In 1955, he was appointed managing director of Neste. The first oil refinery at Naantali
was brought on stream a couple of years after this. Raade and his friend, Prime Minister and from 1956 President of the Republic Urho Kekkonen
were responsible for promoting the project; Kekkonen rallied the politicians and Raade took care of relations to industry at home and abroad.
In 1959, Raade also became the chairman of the company's board. He acted in both positions until his retirement in 1979. In addition to this post, he was also active in industrial federations and committees and was a member or chairman of the board of 37 corporations. He received the honorary title of vuorineuvos
(the highest one awarded to industrialists) in 1962.
The former headquarters building
of Neste, now occupied by Fortum
, is colloquially called Raaden hammas "Raade's tooth". It was constructed 1973–78 and is still the tallest office building in Finland.
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
industrialist and a long-time managing director of Neste
Neste Oil
Neste Oil is a Finnish oil refining and marketing company producing mainly transportation fuels and other refined petroleum products. Neste Oil shares are quoted on the Helsinki Stock Exchange.- History :...
(now Neste Oil), the Finnish national oil refining company.
Raade was born in Turku
Turku
Turku is a city situated on the southwest coast of Finland at the mouth of the Aura River. It is located in the region of Finland Proper. It is believed that Turku came into existence during the end of the 13th century which makes it the oldest city in Finland...
, and received university degrees from Helsinki University of Technology
Helsinki University of Technology
Aalto University School of Science and Technology , was the temporary name for Helsinki University of Technology during the process of forming the Aalto University...
(TKK) and Åbo Akademi. At TKK, he was one of the founders of the student flying club
Polyteknikkojen Ilmailukerho
Polyteknikkojen Ilmailukerho is the student flying club of the Aalto University. It is similar to the Akafliegs of German Universities. Students make designs with advice from staff to give practical experience before seeking employment...
. During the Second World War he initially served as a fighter pilot, but was soon transferred into the industry. In 1945, he was appointed the director of Ministry of Trade and Industry, where he planned the payment of war reparations stipulated by the Soviet Union.
Already in this role he was involved in the founding of the Finnish oil industry. In 1955, he was appointed managing director of Neste. The first oil refinery at Naantali
Naantali
Naantali is a city in south-western Finland, known as one of the most important tourist centres of the country. The municipality has a population of , and is located in the region of Finland Proper, west of Turku....
was brought on stream a couple of years after this. Raade and his friend, Prime Minister and from 1956 President of the Republic Urho Kekkonen
Urho Kekkonen
Urho Kaleva Kekkonen , was a Finnish politician who served as Prime Minister of Finland and later as the eighth President of Finland . Kekkonen continued the “active neutrality” policy of his predecessor President Juho Kusti Paasikivi, a doctrine which came to be known as the “Paasikivi–Kekkonen...
were responsible for promoting the project; Kekkonen rallied the politicians and Raade took care of relations to industry at home and abroad.
In 1959, Raade also became the chairman of the company's board. He acted in both positions until his retirement in 1979. In addition to this post, he was also active in industrial federations and committees and was a member or chairman of the board of 37 corporations. He received the honorary title of vuorineuvos
Vuorineuvos
Vuorineuvos is a Finnish honorary title granted by the President of Finland to leading industry figures. The title is honorary and has no responsibilities and no privileges. All Finnish titles are non-hereditary. The only title of equal rank is valtioneuvos.There is no official or established...
(the highest one awarded to industrialists) in 1962.
The former headquarters building
Fortum head office
The Fortum head office is a high-rise office building located in Espoo, just outside Helsinki, the capital of Finland. With a height of 84 metres , it is currently the second tallest habitable building in Finland....
of Neste, now occupied by Fortum
Fortum
Fortum Oyj is a Finnish publicly listed energy company, which focuses on the Nordic and Baltic countries, Poland and the north-west of Russia. After acquisition of Russian energy company TGC-10 in year 2008, Western Siberia has become an important operating area for Fortum. The head of the company...
, is colloquially called Raaden hammas "Raade's tooth". It was constructed 1973–78 and is still the tallest office building in Finland.