Vuorineuvos

Vuorineuvos ("mining counselor"; literally "mountain counselor") (Swedish: bergsråd) is a Finnish honorary title granted by the President of Finland to leading figures in industry and commerce. The title is honorary and has no responsibilities and no privileges. All Finnish titles are non-hereditary. The only title of equal rank is valtioneuvos.

The vuorineuvos title originated in late 18th Century Sweden when mining played a major role in the economy, including in Swedish-held Finland. During that era five Finns were awarded the title. From 1809 to 1917 in the semi-autonomous, Russian-ruled Grand Duchy of Finland a further 19 titles were awarded. The first recipient of the vuorineuvos title in the modern free state of Finland was Baron Fridolf Hisinger, on 17 July 1918. Awarding of the title has evolved to include not only giants of the mining industry but distinguished leaders in other industries and commerce. By 2010, the title had been granted to 295 people.

Honorees are usually chief executive officers or chairmen of the board of major corporations. As of 2007, the title had been held by only one woman, Irja Ketonen, the principal owner and CEO of Turun Sanomat corporation.

The persons proposing that the honorary vuorineuvos title be conferred on someone are required to pay to the Finnish government a stamp duty. (48 400 euros in 2007).

The kauppaneuvos title dating back to the same era, by comparison, is taxed at the rate of 33 300 euros.

Antti Ahlström, the founder of Ahlstrom; Jorma Ollila, the former CEO of Nokia; and Pekka Herlin of KONE have refused the title out of personal preference.

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