Paul Polman: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox CEO | {{Infobox CEO | ||
| name = Paul Polman | | name = Paul Polman | ||
| image = | | image = Paul Polman 2014 (cropped).jpg | ||
| image_size = 300px | | image_size = 300px | ||
| caption = Polman at the World Economic Forum | | caption = Polman at the World Economic Forum | ||
| Line 9: | Line 9: | ||
| education = University of Groningen (BBA)<br>University of Cincinnati (MA, MBA) | | education = University of Groningen (BBA)<br>University of Cincinnati (MA, MBA) | ||
| occupation = Author, Sustainability Advocate | | occupation = Author, Sustainability Advocate | ||
| net_worth = Estimated | | net_worth = Estimated million (2025) | ||
| years_active = | | years_active = 1979-present | ||
| title = Former CEO of Unilever | | title = Former CEO of Unilever | ||
| term = | | term = 2009-2019 | ||
| predecessor = Patrick Cescau | | predecessor = Patrick Cescau | ||
| successor = Alan Jope | | successor = Alan Jope | ||
Latest revision as of 05:38, 25 August 2026
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Personal Information
Enschede, Netherlands
Education & Background
University of Cincinnati (MA, MBA)
Career Highlights
Wealth
Paulus Gerardus Josephus Maria "Paul" Polman, KBE (born 11 July 1956) is a Dutch businessman, author, and sustainability advocate who served as chief executive officer of Unilever from 2009 to 2019.[1] During his decade-long tenure, Polman transformed the Anglo-Dutch consumer goods giant into a global leader in corporate sustainability while delivering 290% shareholder returns.[2]
His 2010 launch of the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan set ambitious targets to decouple business growth from environmental impact.[3]
Early life and education
Paul Polman was born on 11 July 1956 in Enschede, Netherlands. He was one of six children in a Catholic family. His father held an administrative position at a tire factory, while his mother was a schoolteacher.[4]
Polman attended the University of Groningen, earning a BBA in 1977. He then earned an MA in Economics and MBA in Finance from the University of Cincinnati in 1979.[5]
Career
Procter & Gamble (1979-2006)
Polman joined Procter & Gamble in 1979, spending 27 years at the company. He served as President of Global Fabric Care and Group President of Europe.[6]
Unilever CEO (2009-2019)
On 1 January 2009, Polman became CEO of Unilever. On his first day, he eliminated quarterly earnings guidance, causing an 8% stock drop.[7]
In February 2017, he rejected a $143 billion takeover bid from Kraft Heinz.[8]
Revenue grew from €40 billion (2008) to €51 billion (2018) during his tenure.[9]
Post-Unilever
In 2019, Polman co-founded IMAGINE, an organization mobilizing business leaders for sustainability goals. In 2021, he published "Net Positive: How Courageous Companies Thrive by Giving More Than They Take."[10]
Personal life
Polman married Kim, whom he met at the University of Cincinnati. They have three sons.[11]
He was awarded Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in 2018.[12]
See also
References
- ↑ <ref>"Unilever CEO Paul Polman".Financial Times.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
- ↑ <ref>"Polman Unilever Returns".The Wall Street Journal.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
- ↑ <ref>"Unilever Sustainable Living Plan".Unilever.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
- ↑ <ref>"Paul Polman Biography".Paul Polman Official Site.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
- ↑ <ref>"Polman Education".Bloomberg.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
- ↑ <ref>"Polman P&G Career".CNBC.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
- ↑ <ref>"Polman Ends Quarterly Guidance".Reuters.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
- ↑ <ref>"Unilever Rejects Kraft Bid".BBC News.February 17, 2017.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
- ↑ <ref>"Unilever Financial Performance".Unilever.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
- ↑ <ref>"Net Positive Book".Harvard Business Review.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
- ↑ <ref>"Polman Family".Business Insider.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
- ↑ <ref>"Polman KBE".The Guardian.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>