Anna Eronen to become first female presidential chief adjutant

Commander Anna Eronen will become the first woman to serve as the Finnish president’s first adjutant, Yle reported. She will take up the post on September 1.

Eronen is currently the president’s second adjutant. She was also the first woman appointed as an adjutant to the president.

The current first adjutant, Ville Hukkanen, will move to the Defence Command and then become commander of the Jaeger Artillery Regiment at the Armoured Brigade.

The current third adjutant, Tuomas Karjalainen, will become the second adjutant. Kaisa Heikkinen, from the Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command, will join the team as a new adjutant.

The Defence Forces appoint the president’s adjutants.

The adjutants are among President Alexander Stubb’s closest aides. They help plan the president’s and his spouse Suzanne Innes-Stubb’s programmes and visits. The second adjutant also assists the president’s spouse, while the third can assist former presidents when needed.

Presidents of Finland have had adjutants throughout the country’s history. The first regent, Carl-Gustaf Emil Mannerheim, also had adjutants, according to the Office of the President of the Republic. Lieutenant Akseli Gallen-Kallela also served in the role.