Kangasala Entrepreneur Henrik Bos Begins Third Term as ELCA Chair and Wins Rudus Prize

Rudus says Henrik Bos, a Kangasala-based green industry entrepreneur and this year’s Kivenpyörittäjä, is serving his third term as chair of the European Landscape Contractors Association (ELCA).

Bos said he began the role unsure how a gardener without a political background or university degree could influence EU policy. “I realised that even I, a gardener from Kangasala, have the opportunity to influence things in the EU,” he said, noting ELCA’s active role in shaping the Nature Restoration working group that is drafting nature restoration legislation stemming from the EU Green Deal.

In the last three to five years, the green construction sector’s values have shifted dramatically. Trees are now planted on growing media that extend beneath entire streets; stormwater is managed by natural solutions; and zero-emission machines operate on sites. Responsibility is discussed at every site meeting. Bos said ELCA has helped speed up that change, even if it might have happened without the organisation’s push.

He pointed to Tampere as an example of practical innovation, telling ELCA delegates about projects in Mustalahti and praising the city’s circular economy approaches and energy-efficient environmental construction.

Rudus noted Bos has worked in the green sector since 1985, is CEO and part-owner of VRJ Länsi-Suomi, and has been active in national and international industry organisations. ELCA comprises 24 member organisations across Europe and roughly 200 landscaping and green construction firms.

Rudus has awarded the Kivenpyörittäjä prize since 2001, and Bos said he values receiving recognition from a longtime partner that shares similar visions for the future of environmental construction.