Diversity and inclusion
The 2026 Deadline: How Finland's New Governance Code is Reshaping Corporate Board Diversity
Finland has long been a frontrunner in gender equality, and its corporate landscape reflects significant, albeit slow, progress in increasing female representation on company boards. Traditionally relying on self-regulation and the "comply or explain" principle of its Corporate Governance Code, Finland is now undergoing a transformation driven by new European Union (EU) legislation. This shift, formalized through domestic legal amendments and a renewed Governance Code, sets a clear and binding path toward achieving gender balance by mid-2026. While Finnish companies have achieved a relatively high share of women on boards by international standards, the progress has recently decelerated, prompting the push for mandatory targets.
