The competition for the best Estonian driver is open – submit your driver!

The Best Leader 2025 competition is looking for Estonia’s most outstanding top leader, who is valued within their organisation, contributes to society at large and is an inspiration to many. Nominations are open until 12 March!

Top managers are often people who don’t expect a lot of recognition because it comes with the job. Ivo Suursoo, who was named best manager last year, was also reluctant to accept positive feedback from his own company team. “If I’m honest, my ears went red and I thought, as an Estonian introvert, ‘my goodness, what are they flattering.’ At times it even seemed like too much, but of course it was terribly gratifying and made me very happy.” Suursoo shares his memories of the competition.

The openness, vision, values, ambition and action of the best leaders are the foundation for the wider success of every employee, team, organisation and society, and exemplary leadership must be recognised and rewarded.

If you think your company/organisation’s leader is worthy of the title, you have until 12 March to nominate him or her, along with the reasons why. Fill in the form and submit your manager to the Estonian Best Manager competition.

The jury selects the best driver on the basis of four criteria:

1. long-term good performance of the company/organisation managed;

2. ethical and accountable leadership;

3. the manager’s contribution in Estonia beyond the organisation for which he/she is responsible;

4. collective feedback to the manager.

The jury of the competition, which is being held for the twelfth time, includes the Estonian Employers’ Confederation, the Estonian Association for Personnel Management PARE, Äripäev and Ivo Suursoo, Chairman of the Board of the OIXIO Group, who was selected as the best manager in 2024.

Ivo Suursoo, the reigning best driver in Estonia, pointed out that the title has brought him an unexpected number of positive responsibilities. “I did not foresee such a large number of requests from companies and public sector organisations to make a presentation to their leaders. At one point I calculated that it would take 10% of my working time and I wasn’t prepared for that.” However, Suursoo said it was all positive, as the story of valuing leadership, he said, needed to be told. “The leader of the year is the storyteller of oxygen leadership, and that’s a role that needs to be played,” added Suursoo.

Who has won the title of best leader before?

• 2024. Ivo Suursoo, Chairman of the Board of the OIXIO Group in 2007
• 2023. Veiko Veskimäe, Chairman of the Board of Verstoni in 2007
• 2022. in 2007 LHV manager Madis Toomsalu
• 2021. Margus Rink, head of Coop Bank in
• 2020. Otto Richard Pukk, President of Incap, an electronics company listed on the Finnish stock exchange in 2007.
• 2019. Jaanus Vihand, Head of Coop Estonia in 2007
• 2018. in 2010 Circle K Estonia manager Kai Realo
• 2017. in 2010, long-time head of ABB’s Estonian and Baltic operations in the electronics industry, Vaux Henriksson.
• 2016. Erkki Raasuke, Member of the Management Board of LHV Bank in 2009
• 2015. in 2010, Anne Samlik, long-time head of Estravel
• 2014. Lauri Tabur, Rector of the Estonian Academy of Defence in Estonia in 2007

The best leader 2025 will be announced at Pärnu Leadership Conference “Ambition to look bigger!”

The title of best leader is awarded at a ceremony 15. – 16. mail at the 30th Pärnu Management Conference “Ambition to look bigger!”

Find out more at www.juhtimiskonverents.ee and be part of the recognition of Estonia’s best leaders.