Virve Heikkinen strengthens Fimpec’s EIA and Permitting expertise

Virve Heikkinen, Lead Consultant for EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) and Permitting Services at Fimpec.

Virve Heikkinen, who holds a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree and an MBA, has been appointed as a Lead Consultant for EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) and Permitting Services at Fimpec. In her new role, Heikkinen will be responsible for the development of these services and the expansion of the team.

Starting on August 12, 2024, Virve Heikkinen brings her extensive expertise to Fimpec, significantly enhancing the company’s EIA and Permitting services. She will lead the development of expert services related to EIA and Permitting, while also focusing on growing the specialist team around these services.

Heikkinen has over 20 years of experience in environmental consultancy roles. She joins Fimpec from KIP Service Oy, where she served as Environmental Manager, providing environmental services to companies in the Kokkola Industrial Park. Her responsibilities included managing various industrial environmental matters, assisting client companies with permitting processes, and conducting related follow-up studies and monitoring plans. Heikkinen also has substantial experience in research roles and in preparing and overseeing environmental permits from the regulatory side.

“It is crucial for our clients that permitting processes proceed smoothly. The requirements for permit applications have steadily increased, and understanding and meeting these demands requires experience and expertise. This is where we can support our clients,” Heikkinen explains, adding that the new role feels like the perfect fit for her.

“I find it meaningful to contribute to the clean transition and a more sustainable future in my work. Business development also motivates me, and this new role allows me to leverage my broad expertise. I am looking forward to working on client projects and collaborating with my colleagues at Fimpec.”

Kreetta Manninen, Director of Energy Consulting at Fimpec, emphasizes Heikkinen’s diverse expertise and long career in various roles related to environmental permitting processes. According to Manninen, Heikkinen is the ideal person to complement Fimpec’s capabilities in the clean transition.

“We aim to meet market demand, particularly in streamlining environmental permitting for the industrial and energy sectors, and I am confident that with her expertise, Virve will successfully lead the development of our new service area. Our collaboration has started very well, which is no surprise given that she is a development-oriented and energetic professional, with a strong ability to work effectively in teams.”