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…
Katie King is a leading AI strategist, keynote speaker and author with over 35 years of consulting experience. She helps organisations across industries understand and apply AI to transform business performance, customer experience and leadership capability in an evolving digital landscape
Solitaire Townsend is a globally recognised sustainability expert and keynote speaker. As the co-founder of Futerra and an award-winning thought leader, she helps organisations implement optimistic, solution-driven approaches to tackle climate change. Solitaire Townsend’s forward-thinking strategies inspire corporate audiences worldwide, making her a perfect choice for corporate events.
Bernard Moerman is a lifelong coach and mentor who motivates and guides people to find their values and talents.
Dee Caffari MBE is a pioneering yachtswoman and inspiring leadership speaker who has just completed her seventh global circumnavigation as co-skipper of The Famous Project CIC. Drawing on multiple world-first achievements, she delivers compelling lessons on resilience, teamwork, inclusion and leading through extreme challenges.
Oli France is a British adventurer, expedition leader and keynote speaker who has guided teams through 75 countries’ most extreme environments. He inspires corporate audiences with lessons on resilience, confidence, risk management, and leading elite teams to achieve world-class goals in high-pressure situations.
Ruby Wax is a fantastic awards host, after-dinner speaker, comedienne and motivational speaker.
Greatly admired for his personal integrity, charisma, leadership and outstanding oratory qualities, he is one of the most requested political speakers across the globe.
Former Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) at IKEA Group, Steve served on IKEA’s Executive Group Management from 2011 to 2017. Widely respected as a leading sustainable business professional and a recognised authority on sustainability and climate change.
Meet Dr Ayesha Khanna, a Forbes-recognised, groundbreaking entrepreneur and a leading expert in global artificial intelligence and smart cities. As the co-founder of Human Technology Co., she plays a pivotal role in advising global corporations and governments, shaping the future of AI and urban living across continents, particularly in AI Asia.
Catherine Destivelle is probably the greatest female climber in the world today. Her desire to conquer the most challenging mountain faces illustrates her self-belief and determination, driving her to attain her full potential.
