03.11.2025
Northern Ostrobothnia Prize to Trade Counsellor Matti Pörhö
The Northern Ostrobothnia Regional Board has awarded the Northern Ostrobothnia Prize to Matti Pörhö, Commercial Counsellor, for his outstanding life's work, which has made Northern Ostrobothnia known and strengthened its identity.
"Thank you and a deep bow! I am particularly honored by the award given to me today by the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region. I particularly appreciate it because it is a recognition of the long work that has been done for our region. I would therefore like to thank all those who have been involved in making this decision.” Matti Pörhö.
Matti Pörhö, the Trade Counsellor who won the Northern Ostrobothnia Prize 2025, is a familiar Oulu resident. He has been CEO of Pörhön Autoliike Oy from 1987 to 2022 and Chairman of the Board since 1987. He has served and continues to serve as CEO and/or Chairman of Suomen Tool Oy, Pörhö Kiinteistö Oy, Pörhö Invest Oy and Gesab AB in Stockholm, Sweden.
In addition to business, Matti Pörhö has held as many as 31 positions of trust during his career. These include, in the automotive sector, the chairmanship of the VW/Audi European Dealer Regional Assembly from 2014 to 2025, as well as the membership of the CECRA Board of Directors and later of the Executive Board. Other positions of trust include membership of the EK Board 2005-2007, Chairmanship of the Oulu Deaconess Institute 2014-2021 and membership of the Kärppä-Foundation Board 2000-2015.
Matti Pörhö is an economist. He graduated from Umeå University in 1976. The title of Commercial Counsellor was awarded to Pörhö in 2004 and three years later, in 2007, he was awarded an honorary doctorate in economics at the University of Oulu. In terms of rank, Pörhö is a lieutenant in the reserve. He has been awarded the Order of the White Rose of Finland Class I and the First Class Medal of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (Verdienstkreuz, erster Klasse).
Matti Pörhö says that he has always been an entrepreneur and that is why he has achieved many. Pörhön Autoliike has remained a family company since its founding and Matti Pörhö treats his employees like family members
“When you are responsible for a large number of people, you want to take care of them. You won't get anywhere as long as you're an entrepreneur.”
The prize given to Matti Pörhö is a miniature sculpture designed by sculptor Sanna Koivisto, which symbolizes the region of Northern Ostrobothnia. The award was presented by the President of the Regional Assembly at the Regional Parliament in Oulu on 3 November 2025. Senja Kovaniemi, President of the the Board of the Regional Assembly Lauri Nikula and Region Mayor Jussi Rämet.
The Northern Ostrobothnia Prize is awarded for life's work for the benefit of Northern Ostrobothnia and for the meritorious work that has made Northern Ostrobothnia known and strengthened its identity. Previous wEnablers of the Northern Ostrobothnia Prize were Professor Seppo Säynäjäkangas 2005, Senior Lecturer Marketta Viitala 2006, Oulu Kärpät Oy 2007, Senior Lecturer Pentti Lampinen 2007, University of Oulu 2008, nature photographer, fil.tri h.c. Hannu Hautala 2009, regional Governor Eino Siuruainen 2010, M.Sc. (Tech.), Doctor of Science (Tech.), Juha Hulkko 2011, Airport Manager Pekka Mäntynen 2012, Senior Lecturer Marja Irjala 2013, Conductor Timo Hannula 2014, Professor Anssi Paasi 2015, cartoonist Jari Elsilä 2016, Mayor Matti Pennanen 2017, Opera singer Soile Isokoski 2018, Industrial Counsellor Veijo Sydänmetsä 2019, Professor, Research Rector Taina Pihlajaniemi 2020, ice hockey player Lasse Kukkonen 2021, journalist, columnist and non-fiction writer Helena Petäistö 2022, Ruka Nordic 2023 and Senior Lecturist Pauli Harju 2024.
