Former CEO, Unilever | Co-Founder, Imagine
Paulus Gerardus Josephus Maria Polman, KBE (born 11 July 1956) is a Dutch businessman, author, and global sustainability advocate. He is best known for serving as Chief Executive Officer of Unilever from 2009 to 2019, where he transformed the company into a benchmark for responsible business. Polman is also co-author of Net Positive: How Courageous Companies Thrive by Giving More Than They Take (with Andrew Winston).
Career Journey
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Procter & Gamble (1979–2006): Began as a cost analyst, later rising to Managing Director of P&G UK, President of Global Fabric Care, and Group President for Europe.
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Nestlé (2006–2008): Served as Chief Financial Officer and later Vice President, Head of the Americas.
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Unilever (2009–2019): Appointed CEO in January 2009, succeeding Patrick Cescau.
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Introduced the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan, aiming to decouple growth from environmental impact while increasing social value.
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Eliminated short-term earnings guidance to focus on long-term sustainable performance.
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Expanded Unilever’s presence in emerging markets, targeting 70% of sales from these regions.
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Delivered strong financial results: eight consecutive years of growth, shareholder returns of 290%, and market share gains recognized by Bernstein and the Financial Times.
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Post-Unilever Leadership
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Imagine (2019): Co-founded with Jeff Seabright to mobilize business action against poverty, inequality, and climate change. Acquired by Systemiq in 2022, where Polman remains a board member and shareholder.
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Impact Investing:
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Founders Board member of TPG Rise, a $7 billion social-impact fund.
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Co-chair of EQT Future, a €3 billion long-hold impact fund.
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Active venture capital investor in climate and mission-driven companies.
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Global Recognition & Advocacy
Polman is widely regarded as one of the most influential CEOs of the past decade:
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Named a “standout CEO of the past decade” by the Financial Times (2018).
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Former Chair of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.
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Member of the UN Global Compact Board and the UN High-Level Panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda.
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Co-chair of the Global Commission for the Economy and Climate with Nicholas Stern and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
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Former Chair of The B Team (2018–2021).
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Chair of the Board, Oxford Saïd Business School (2019–present).
Publications & Thought Leadership
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Net Positive (2021) – A blueprint for companies to thrive by giving more than they take.
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Co-authored reports on ambitious development goals, sustainability, and climate action.
Education
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University of Groningen: Bachelor of Business Administration and Bachelor of Arts (1977).
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University of Cincinnati: Master’s in Economics and MBA in Finance & International Marketing (1979).
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Honorary doctorates from the University of Groningen (2014) and George Mason University (2018).
Personal Life
Polman was born in Enschede, Netherlands, in a Catholic family. He is married to Kim Polman, with whom he has three sons. Early in life, he considered joining the priesthood before pursuing business.
Key Legacy
Paul Polman is recognized globally as a visionary leader in sustainable business, proving that profitability and responsibility can coexist. His work at Unilever and beyond has inspired a generation of leaders to embrace Net Positive strategies, positioning business as a force for good in tackling climate change, inequality, and global development challenges.
