Merja Narvo-Akkola appointed as Espoo’s Deputy Mayor for Growth and Learning
The City Council elected the new Deputy Mayor for Growth and Learning at its meeting on Monday 24 February 2025. Merja Narvo-Akkola received 44 votes in the election.
The following three applicants were invited to the council groups’ interviews held at the end of January: Mikko Mäkelä, Merja Narvo-Akkola and Tiina Simons. A total of 34 applications were submitted by the deadline.
The selection was based on a comparison of the applicants’ merits, interviews and suitability for the position, on which expert opinions were requested. The qualification requirements include a master’s degree, familiarity with municipal administration, sufficient knowledge of the sector, management experience, and language skills according to the language proficiency regulations. In addition, strategic thinking, change management skills and experience in HR management were considered advantages.
Merja Narvo-Akkola (b. 1965) currently serves as the Head of Education Services at the City of Järvenpää. In addition to her international experience, Narvo-Akkola has extensive experience in development tasks in the City of Espoo’s Education and Cultural Services. Since 2021, the sector has been called the Growth and Learning Sector.
Harri Rinta-aho has served as Espoo’s Deputy Mayor for Growth and Learning since 2018 and will retire at the end of February. Rinta-aho started his career at the City of Espoo in 1988 and worked as the principal of Tapiolan lukio from 2001 to 2018. From 2014 to 2015, he served as the acting Director of the Finnish Education Unit.