Matti Alahuhta comes across as the archetypal Finnish chief executive. He spent three decades at Nokia, which he calls the “Finnish GE” for its knack at producing managers who go on to run other groups. Then, four years ago he became chief executive of Kone, the lift company known as Finland’s “other” large company.

He also demonstrates many of the characteristics seen as typically Finnish – serious, dry, direct, contemplative. In common with many from the relatively small Nordic state, he displays a global spirit and openness to other countries.