Alan Jope, 54, will succeed Paul Polman as CEO of the Anglo-Dutch consumer goods giant. Mr Polman will retire as CEO and as a Board member on 31 December 2018, after more than ten years at the head of the company and almost four decades in the consumer goods industry.

Alan Jope, 54, will succeed Paul Polman as CEO of Unilever

Mr Jope has led Beauty & Personal Care, Unilever’s largest Division, since 2014 and has been on the company’s Leadership Executive since 2011. He has headed Unilever’s business in both developed and emerging markets, including the company’s North Asia business for four years, he served as President, Russia, Africa & Middle East, and spent over a decade in senior Foods, Home Care and Personal Care roles for Unilever US. Alan joined the company as a graduate marketing trainee in 1985.

Mr Polman will retire as CEO and as a Board member on 31 December 2018

Paul Polman will support the transition process in the first half of 2019 and will leave the company in early July. A successor to the role of President, Beauty & Personal Care will be announced shortly.