Discover the inspiring journey of Paul Polman, former CEO of Unilever and a visionary leader in sustainability and business innovation. From his humble beginnings to becoming a global advocate for change, Polman’s story is a testament to impactful leadership.
Born into a family of six in the Netherlands, Paul Polman was instilled with the values of hard work, dignity, respect, equity, and compassion from an early age. His parents, a teacher and an administrative worker in a tyre factory, were his early inspirations. These foundational values later became the bedrock of his leadership philosophy.
Paul Polman’s academic journey led him to the United States, where he earned dual degrees in economics and business studies from the University of Cincinnati. This period was not only significant for his academic achievements but also for meeting Kim, his future wife and partner in both life and philanthropy. Polman’s career commenced with roles at three of the world’s leading companies: Procter & Gamble, Nestlé, and Unilever. These experiences taught him the importance of value creation through diverse business models and the essence of serving a broad range of stakeholders.
As the CEO of Unilever from 2009 to 2019, Paul Polman transformed the company into a model of sustainability and ethical business. Under his leadership, Unilever saw a 290% increase in shareholder returns, top- and bottom-line growth, and received global recognition for its sustainability efforts and as a preferred workplace. Polman demonstrated that responsibility and performance could go hand in hand, setting new standards for business leadership.
Post-Unilever, Paul Polman has not slowed down. He actively works at the nexus of global business, government, and civil society to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges, such as climate change and inequality. His contributions to the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals underscore his commitment to a sustainable and inclusive global economy.
Polman’s book, “Net Positive: How courageous companies thrive by giving more than they take”, co-written to…
Mark Pollock is a globally recognised explorer and speaker whose powerful story of resilience and innovation inspires audiences to embrace adversity, optimise performance and collaborate for impact.
Esther Dyson, named by Forbes magazine as one of the most powerful women in American business, is an acknowledged luminary in the technology industry.
Andrew McMillan is a leading authority on customer experience, employee engagement and leadership. Drawing on his 28 years with the John Lewis Partnership, he helps organisations connect culture, purpose and performance to create exceptional results.
When Mike Abrashoff took charge of the USS Benfold, he was the most junior officer in the Pacific Fleet, and the ship was one of the worst performers. Fast forward a year, and that very ship had risen to become the Navy’s best without swapping out the crew. What Michael Abrashoff achieved with the USS Benfold highlights issues that many organisations wrestle with. That’s why his story has been featured in publications like The Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, and Fast Company. As a highly sought-after keynote speaker, he inspires others with his approach to leadership and organisational change. Book Mike for an event or workshop today.
Greatly admired for his personal integrity, charisma, leadership and outstanding oratory qualities, he is one of the most requested political speakers across the globe.
Dr Madeleine de Hauke, a medical doctor and executive coach with over 25 years of experience, specialises in leadership and empowerment. Renowned as a speaker and visiting professor, she offers transformative insights in leadership and effective meeting strategies.
Stefaan van Hooydonk consults global corporations, leadership teams, and individuals to help build stronger curiosity muscles. He is the founder of the Global Curiosity Institute and author of the bestselling book The Workplace Curiosity Manifesto.
Dr Gordon Campbell has been a distinguished leader in the global food retail industry over two decades.
Silvia Garcia, Coca-Cola’s former Global Director of Happiness, helps leaders create thriving workplace cultures. Her science-backed keynotes reveal how happiness, trust, and emotional intelligence unlock innovation, resilience, and peak performance—making them essential ingredients for success in the modern business world.
One of the world’s most famous trend researchers. She analyses moods, fashions and feelings and translates them into trends. Famous for her lively and inspiring speeches, her highly innovative and unusual audiovisuals have a huge impact on what the products of tomorrow will be.
