The City of Tampere is currently undertaking a new round of updates to its ownership strategies, the aim of which is to ensure that the city’s ownership steering supports the objectives of the city strategy and meets the needs of the changing operating environment.
The ownership strategies define the city’s long-term objectives and vision for its shareholdings. They guide the city’s ownership steering, support the strategic work of the companies’ boards and management, and lay the foundations for the preparation of budgetary targets.
The Group Committee approved the ownership strategies for the first phase’s eight subsidiaries in June 2026. The next set of strategies, covering ten company holdings, is now under preparation. Their ownership strategies were discussed during the Group Committee’s assessment meeting and, once the ownership steering has been finalised, they will be submitted for approval at the Group Committee meeting in October.
– The city’s companies play an important role in the delivery of services, infrastructure and urban development. Updating the ownership strategies will ensure that ownership steering supports the city’s long-term objectives in a changing operating environment,’ says Matti Helimo, Chair of the Group Committee.
The aim of the ownership strategies is to establish a vision for the strategic objectives and long-term development directions of the city’s shareholdings. The strategies set out objectives relating to the development of shareholder value, as well as other ownership-related measures that guide the practical work of the city’s ownership steering.
The aim is to update the ownership strategies of all subsidiaries at least once during each council term and whenever necessary, should the company’s strategic position change. The Group Committee took note of the progress report on the preparation of ownership strategies for subsidiaries and associated companies, as well as the assessment discussion it held on the content of company-specific ownership strategies.
The City Board's Group Division noted the status of negotiations concerning the continuation of Suomen Hopealinja Oy’s operations, as well as the plan drawn up by the company’s board of directors for a controlled winding-up of operations. At the same time, the Group Committee issued a preliminary position on behalf of the owner, stating that the company may proceed with the realisation of its assets.
In recent weeks, the City of Tampere has received several new enquiries regarding the purchase of Suomen Hopealinja Oy’s share capital and the continuation of the company’s business operations. Some of these enquiries have progressed to more detailed assessments. The City continues to explore solutions to ensure the continuation of the company’s ownership and operations on market terms.
However, given the company’s financial situation, preparations must be made in parallel for the controlled realisation of its assets. The aim of the decision is to minimise the financial risks and losses incurred by the city and, as far as possible, to safeguard the continuity of transport and services on Viikinsaari in the future. Should a solution be found for the company or its assets that is in the city’s overall interest, the measures that have been initiated may be withdrawn.
– Our aim remains to find a solution for Hopealinja that ensures the continuation of its operations on a market-based basis. At the same time, as the owner, we must act responsibly and also be prepared for other alternatives, so that the financial risks and losses incurred by the city are kept to a minimum,” says Matti Helimo, Chair of the Group Committee.
