Unilever streamlines its leadership structure
Unilever announced a series of significant changes to streamline its management and leadership. The changes see the creation of the positions of a new single non-executive Chairman and a new Group Chief Executive.
Antony Burgmans, currently Chairman of Unilever N.V., will become non-executive Chairman of both Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC responsible for managing the Boards. It is expected that this position will be filled in the course of 2007 by an independent non-executive director. Patrick Cescau, currently Chairman of Unilever PLC, will take on the role of Group Chief Executive responsible for all operations. Bertrand Collomb, currently Senior Independent Director, will in addition assume the role of non-executive Vice-Chairman of both Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC.
The streamlining of the business sees three directors step down from the Boards and one new appointment reducing the number of executive members from seven to four.
The current Executive Committee, the Foods and Home and Personal Care (HPC) divisions, and the 11 business groups will be eliminated. Full executive authority will be devolved to the Group CEO and his new operating team. This will consist of three Regional Presidents (Europe, Americas, Asia/Africa), two Category Presidents of Foods and HPC, the Chief Financial Officer, and the Chief Human Resources Officer. A team is ready to implement the changes and the business will be operated along the new lines from April 2005.
Additionally a review of the Group structure will be undertaken, led by the Chairman, reporting to the 2006 AGMs.
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