Unilever CEO Succession

RNS Number : 7134C

Unilever PLC

04 September 2008

 



Unilever CEO Succession

Unilever today announces that Patrick Cescau, Group Chief Executive, will retire from Unilever at the end of the year. He has served the business for 35 years and has led Unilever for the last four, initially as Chairman and then as the company's first Group Chief Executive.

The Board intends to appoint Paul Polman, 52, currently Executive Vice President and Zone Director for the Americas at Nestlé SA, as Group Chief Executive to succeed Patrick Cescau.

Mr Polman will be proposed for appointment to the Board at Extraordinary General Meetings to be convened during the autumn. He will take over as Group Chief Executive following an orderly transition.

Michael Treschow, Chairman of Unilever said: 'Patrick has had an outstanding career. We are greatly in his debt for the transformation he has brought about over the last four years. The performance of the business has improved markedly under his leadership. Liked and admired in equal measure, Patrick leaves a substantial record on which to build.  

'At the same time, we are very pleased to welcome Paul Polman. He is a great talent with significant international experience and an excellent track record. He has all the attributes necessary to build on Patrick's achievements. We are delighted that he has agreed to join the business and to lead Unilever into the next stage of its development'.

Patrick Cescau said: 'Four years ago we set out to transform Unilever and to get the business back on track. I believe that phase of work is largely complete, so now is exactly the right time to pass on the baton.

'It has been an extraordinary privilege to lead such a great business. I leave with a real sense of pride in what has been achieved, but also great confidence in the company's ability to pursue the opportunities that lie ahead'.

- Ends -

Notes

Patrick Cescau was born on September 27th, 1948. He joined Unilever in 1973 and was elected to the Board as Finance Director in 1999. He subsequently served as Foods Director and was appointed Chairman of Unilever PLC and Vice Chairman of Unilever NV in 2004.

He became the company's first ever Group Chief Executive on the creation of that office in April 2005.

Paul Polman joined Nestlé in 2006 as Chief Financial Officer. Prior to that he had a 26 year career in Procter & Gamble, culminating as Group President, Europe - a position he held from 2001 - 2005.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT:

This announcement may contain forward-looking statements, including 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as 'expects', 'anticipates', 'intends' or the negative of these terms and other similar expressions of future performance or results, including financial objectives to 2010, and their negatives are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and assumptions regarding anticipated developments and other factors affecting the Group. They are not historical facts, nor are they guarantees of future performance. Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including, among others, competitive pricing and activities, consumption levels, costs, the ability to maintain and manage key customer relationships and supply chain sources, currency values, interest rates, the ability to integrate acquisitions and complete planned divestitures, the ability to complete planned restructuring activities, physical risks, environmental risks, the ability to manage regulatory, tax and legal matters and resolve pending matters within current estimates, legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments, political, economic and social conditions in the geographic markets where the Group operates and new or changed priorities of the Boards. Further details of potential risks and uncertainties affecting the Group are described in the Group's filings with the London Stock Exchange, Euronext Amsterdam and the US Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report & Accounts on Form 20-F. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this announcement. Except as required by any applicable law or regulation, the Group expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Group's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

 

END

 

 

BOAZZLBBVKBEBBK