The Art of Orchestrating Expertise

TEXT Marko Östman
TRANSLATED Essi Partia
PHOTOS Marko Östman and Tapani Karjanlahti

As Philippe Bordarier watches the large coaches arrive at Olkiluoto’s visitor centre, delivering groups to the freshly snow-covered car park, he notes that his children are thrilled with the overnight snowfall.

Finnish winters are nothing new to him, having served as Chief Operating Officer at Fennovoima from 2021 to 2022. Bordarier has six children, three of whom are already adults, so it was his wife, their two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, and twin boys born in March who accompanied him to Rauma.

“I appreciate the Nordic way of life and the quality it offers families. Our children are so young that they’ll probably end up learning Finnish before French,” Bordarier laughs.

Before officially taking up his post in December, he spent two months getting to know Olkiluoto’s operations, staff, and stakeholders.

“I feel a great sense of responsibility, joy and enthusiasm. Safety is paramount in everything we do, as our three nuclear reactors are crucial assets for Finland’s electricity supply. I have met employees, owners, a range of stakeholders, and both national and local partners, and have been warmly welcomed.”

“In 2025, we have taken full responsibility for the OL3 reactor. In 2026, we expect to receive the operating licence for ONKALO®, which will see us move from the project phase to operational activities. Together, these developments mark a new and exciting chapter.”

Firmly positioned at the forefront

Recent global upheavals have further heightened the importance of nuclear power. Bordarier highlights Finland’s strengths of being a well-established and effective nuclear ecosystem.

“Finland has decades of operational experience, high-quality training opportunities, and skilled professionals across all areas. Ongoing activities and investments ensure that people remain at the forefront of the latest developments.”

TVO and Posiva are recognised as pioneers on the global stage. Soon, Posiva will become the first operator to commence the final disposal of nuclear waste in ONKALO, thereby gaining valuable new expertise.

“Olkiluoto is unique in Europe, hosting the continent’s first third-generation reactor in operation, while ONKALO is truly one of a kind on a global scale. The OL1 and OL2 plants are also essential components of the overall complex.”

“In the years ahead, we here in Olkiluoto will acquire a wealth of specialised expertise to share internationally. The nuclear sector is always forward-looking; and a lifecycle approach brings transparency – empowering us to invest in skills.”

Learning humility through work

Bordarier holds a doctorate in physics and has around 25 years’ extensive experience in the nuclear sector, including in France, the USA, the UK, Poland, and the Netherlands. In nuclear energy, safety and operations go hand in hand.

“Safety is part of TVO’s DNA and it defines our culture and mindset. My biggest lesson is that if you’re not humble from the start, the technique will make you humble. Every day, you must question whether you are doing everything possible, and doing it right. Nothing is won in advance, nor achieved alone,” Bordarier emphasises.

In this field, a leader’s perspective can’t merely be limited to days, weeks, or even quarters. They need to understand where they want to be decades from now.

“No one has all the answers, so the work demands broad collaboration with a range of experts. It’s all about teams, and teams within teams. Once the vision is clear, you need to engage with experts, secure their commitment to the vision, and guide its delivery.”

Change creates opportunities

Areas of expertise are constantly evolving. Bordarier emphasises that experts need to be trained and developed years before specific skills are actually needed.

“Supervisors need a broader base of expertise and understanding, as well as strong collaborative skills. Addressing challenges through the cooperation of multiple experts requires the ability to bring together the right people, each with their own specialised knowledge.”

A strong work ethic shaped by Protestant culture

Bordarier singles out André-Claude Lacoste, President of the French Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, as a particularly important figure in his career. He worked under Lacoste in France, learning a great deal about both the industry and leadership.

”I’m not a religious person, but I come from a Protestant culture, which values dedication and diligence. These qualities define both me and the entire nuclear sector. I ask myself every day: what did I learn today? This conscious mindset helps me to face challenges positively,” Bordarier explains.

“I relate to Steve Jobs’ statement: ‘I am not here to fix things, I am here to create an organisation and a team that fix issues.’ I don’t believe in micromanagement, I want to engage people and create processes and systems that enable solutions in different situations.”

Bordarier maintains his own expertise by reading, listening to, and watching educational content. He even jokes that he buys more books than he has time to read.

“In nuclear energy, psychological safety is crucial. It’s important that people at all levels of the organisation feel able to speak up. This requires open-mindedness, as we learn best by listening.”

In his free time, he writes a diary and haikus, paints with oils, acrylics and watercolours, plays the ukulele and flute, and enjoys climbing and skiing. Music is close to his heart in every way.

“I believe a leader should act like the American conductor Leonard Bernstein when conducting Haydn’s orchestra. There’s a brilliant YouTube video where he moves only his head and gives instructions mainly with his gaze. Of course, there are times when a leader must take more decisive action.”