Australian Honoured by Finnish Government

Innovation Summit leads to Knighthood

Tim Purcell

At the recent official Finnish Independence Day celebrations held at Parliament House in Sydney on Dec 4 2008, Tim Purcell was invested as a Knight, 1st Class in the Order of the White Rose of Finland. The award given by the President of the Republic of Finland, Ms Tarja Halonen, and presented on her behalf by the Ambassador of Finland to Australia, Mr Glen Lindholm, was made in recognition of the significant efforts in fostering stronger business and government organisation relationships between Finland and Australia.

In particular in 2007 during a visit by the Finnish President, Purcell and his team, organised and held an Innovation Summit. The contacts made in this summit between the leaders of the groups attending has led to a strengthening of relationships and ongoing interactions. At the time Purcell was the Chairman of the Finland Australia Chamber of Commerce and on the Board of Directors of the European Australian Business Council.

Purcell remarked “…it was a team effort and I am glad this Innovation Summit event was such a success. I am humbled to receive this award…