Born in 1951 Ole Johansson graduated from the Swedish School of Economics (Hanken) in Helsinki with a B. Sc. (Econ) degree in 1974.

He joined the Wärtsilä Corporation in 1975 and has since then held various positions In Finland, USA, France and Switzerland including those of Vice President, Wärtsilä Diesel Inc. and Wärtsilä Diesel Group, Group EVP & CFO and President of Wärtsilä NSD. He was appointed President  & CEO of the Wärtsilä Corporation in 2000 and retired from that position in 2011

Ole Johansson is currently Chairman of the Board, Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK), Outokumpu Oyj and EQ Oyj, Vice Chairman of Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Company and a Board member of the Technology Industries in Finland.