Otava recognised as a responsible promoter of education and literacy

The Otava Group creates economic wellbeing through forward-looking and profitable business activities.

We create economic wellbeing by ensuring the continuity of our forward-looking and profitable business activities. We want our business to benefit Finnish society, and we pay taxes in Finland.

Promoting culture, literacy and freedom of speech is our core mission.

Otava received the Family Business of the Year Award in November 2024. The Finnish association for family businesses, Perheyritysten liitto, wanted to highlight the importance of family in the company’s success. The grounds for the award noted that Otava is a family business that combines strong traditions with sustainability and an innovative vision. Otava’s selection for the award also focused on the significant social role that the company’s plays in promoting education, culture and literacy.

This has been at the heart of Otava’s business ever since its establishment. For more than a century, Otava has highlighted and taken responsibility for Finland’s shared values by promoting culture, growth and learning through its publications, such as books, learning materials and magazine articles.  

Otava is firmly committed to Finland and social impact. The company is already a fifth-generation family business, which underlines its long-term commitment to family entrepreneurship and ownership. This kind of long-term ownership is very rare.

Only one in ten family businesses is able to continue in the same family into the third generation.

Otava has been a forerunner in sustainability since the outset: everything the company does revolves around fostering education and culture. Otava has also made significant strategic investments in Finnish businesses, thereby strengthening its position as a supporter of domestic ownership and the Finnish economy.

Otava is not only an example of four successful generational changes, but also of renewal through each new generation. 

“We aim to lead Otava sustainably and in a target-oriented manner, so that it will remain a noteworthy company for another 130 years. By introducing new governance models, we want to involve and engage future generations in the company’s mission. By keeping our owners close, we strengthen their emotional connection to Otava,” says Henrik Ehrnrooth, Chair of Otava’s Board of Directors. 

This was the 21st Family Business of the Year Award. It is awarded annually to a successful family business with at least one generational change behind it and a strong investment in the future. The Family Business of the Year Award shows that owners matter. A company needs skilled and committed owners, and Finland needs companies that invest in the future.     

Perheyritysten liitto gave the first award in 2004. In 2012, it was named the Peter Fazer Award. Otava has been a member of Perheyritysten liitto since the association was founded.