Interview with Professor of Practice Ilkka Tomperi
GSF alumnus Ilkka Tomperi has worked in the industry after obtaining a doctoral degree in finance from the University of Vaasa. Ilkka was appointed as a Professor of Practice in Real Estate Investment at Aalto University School of Engineering in 2022.
Professors of Practice (PoP) are relatively new positions in Finnish universities but have a long history, for example, in US business schools. PoPs are typically highly qualified leaders and experts from companies or the public sector with an academic background who act as developers and bridge builders between the universities and relevant industries. The Professor of Practice positions are fixed term and part-time with an emphasis on teaching.
Alongside his PoP appointment, Ilkka Tomperi continues his work as partner and COO at CapMan Real Estate. Before that he has worked as the Executive Vice President of YIT’s Property Development segment and served as the Head of Real Estate investments at Varma and has held senior positions at Franklin Templeton and the State Pension Fund of Finland (VER). We spoke to Ilkka and asked about the impact that obtaining a doctoral degree has had on his career as well as his thoughts about his role and responsibilities as a Professor of Practice.
1. How would you describe the impact that obtaining a doctoral degree in Finance has had on your career?
Pursuing and completing a doctoral degree in Finance has sharpened my ability to tackle complex problems, challenge assumptions, and occasionally question the status quo. This journey has also enhanced my skills in analysing and summarising everyday business challenges. I have been fortunate to hold positions where my research degree is closely aligned with my work, providing me with a competitive edge. Many of my employers have truly appreciated the degree even if it had not been a prerequisite for the positions.
2. You have kept a close contact with University of Vaasa by teaching regularly in their Master’s Programme in Finance so we gather a new challenge starting as a PoP in Real Estate Investment in Aalto University was a pleasant one and easy to accept. Please tell us about your thoughts on the role of Professor of Practice.
That is correct. My approximately twenty years of continuous teaching experience in Vaasa significantly supports my current role as a Professor of Practice (PoP). I am an experienced lecturer who enjoys working with students. In both roles, I bring practical, real-life examples to the classroom, enriching my lectures with engaging content. The PoP role is more holistic than that of a guest lecturer, allowing me to be a regular part of the university community. This position also makes it more natural for me to actively promote Aalto University and the Real Estate Economics program.
3. What are your responsibilities as a PoP? What do you actually do?
My main responsibility is to run an annual course on Property Development, which includes lectures and a case project for the students. Developing a new course is always a significant effort but also an engaging project. Working with students and mentoring them throughout the course is always very rewarding. In addition to teaching, I attend research seminars where I can support postgraduate students with their doctoral research. Ad hoc lunches and meetings with both staff and students are also enriching. Additionally, I organised a successful networking event last winter, bringing university professors from my program together with senior decision-makers in the real estate business to provide updates on current research projects and foster better connections between academia and industry.
4. What is the best thing/part that a PoP job has brought into your life? What have you learnt from students?
I can’t emphasize enough how wonderful it is to connect with new generations of MSc students and interact with them. The questions they ask during lectures and the longer discussions afterward are always rewarding and often challenge my own thinking in a very positive way. Being well-connected with the students allows me to act as a bridge between them and the professional world, potentially supporting them with work opportunities in the industry. I have also met Real Estate Economics students at international trade fairs like Expo Real and am currently considering organising property tours to interesting development projects for my course alumni.
5. Any thoughts that you would like to share with other finance graduates if they ever have a possibility to work as a PoP?
If you are passionate about your profession and enjoy sharing your knowledge, lecturing and working with students is always very rewarding. There are many ways to approach the Professor of Practice (PoP) role, and it’s important to remember that this flexibility may allow it to be tailored to your situation. So, if you get the opportunity, go for it!
About Dr Ilkka Tomperi, Partner, COO
Dr Tomperi re-joined CapMan Real Estate in 2023 as Partner and Chief Operating Officer. He is also Professor of Practice (Real Estate Investment) at Aalto University. Prior to his current role he was a member of the management group of YIT Group and Executive Vice President of Property Development segment. Prior to YIT, Dr Tomperi was Head of Real Estate at Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Company overseeing and managing the ca. €5 billion real estate portfolio. Dr Tomperi joined Varma from a position of Partner at CapMan Real Estate where in 2011–2013 he had a central role in the establishment of a Nordic organisation at CapMan Real Estate and the first pan-Nordic real estate fund. His previous experience also includes serving as Vice President, Private Real Estate at Franklin Templeton Investments and Head of Other Investments and Portfolio Manager at The State Pension Fund of Finland. Mr Tomperi has held several positions of trust, and he has served as Vice-Chair of the Management Board at INREV and member of the board of SATO and Kaleva. Tomperi holds a PhD degree in Finance and is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (FRICS).