Heikki Kauppinen, a member of HKScan, Finland's pig meat board has died in a skiing accident.

Mr Kauppinen, who has been a board member for almost five years was elected to the Board in 2003, joining as an outside expert with diverse experience in the international marketing of branded goods. He will be greatly missed said the group. His skills and expertise have helped HKScan's develop an increasingly international standing and promote finnish products overseas.

Mr Kauppinen was an active contributor to the expansion of the Group.

Before joining HKScan he worked for Unilever Finland, and was managing director from 1994 to 2002. He was also Chairman of the Board of Kyrönmaan Juustomestarit Oy and sat on the Boards of Halva Oy and Laatusuhde Suomi Oy. He had an enduring interest in orienteering was also chairman of the Board of the Finnish Orienteering Federation.