Paul Polman
Paul Polman
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Full Name and Common Aliases
Paulus Maria Wilhelm Antonius Polman, commonly known as Paul Polman.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on February 27, 1956 (age 67)
Nationality and Profession(s)
Dutch national, business executive, and former CEO of Unilever.
Early Life and Background
Paul Polman was born in the Netherlands to a family of entrepreneurs. His parents instilled in him a strong sense of social responsibility and a desire to make a positive impact on society. Polman's early life was marked by a passion for mathematics and science, which led him to pursue a degree in economics from the University of Enschede.
Major Accomplishments
Polman's career spans over three decades, with significant accomplishments at Procter & Gamble (P&G) and Unilever. Some of his notable achievements include:
Led P&G's global business development team, where he worked on various high-profile brands such as Tide and Gillette.
Became CEO of Unilever in 2009, a position he held for over eight years. During his tenure, Polman implemented a range of sustainable business practices, including reducing carbon emissions by 50% and improving water usage efficiency by 40%.
Introduced the concept of "Shared Value," which focuses on creating economic value while also addressing social and environmental challenges.
Developed and launched Unilever's Sustainable Living Plan (SLP), which aims to halve the company's environmental footprint, improve the livelihoods of millions of people, and enhance its reputation.
Notable Works or Actions
Polman has written extensively on business and sustainability. His notable works include:
Co-authored "Net Positive: How Courageous Companies Thrive Through Sustainability" with Andrew Savitz.
Contributed to various thought leadership pieces in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, and Harvard Business Review.
Impact and Legacy
Polman's impact on business and sustainability is undeniable. He has been recognized for his efforts through numerous awards, including:
Knighted by the Dutch government for his contributions to sustainable business practices.
Received the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Champions of the Earth award in 2013.
* Named one of the "World's Most Influential People" by TIME magazine.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Polman is widely quoted and remembered for his thought leadership on sustainability and business. His commitment to creating value while addressing social and environmental challenges has inspired a new generation of business leaders.
Quotes by Paul Polman
Providing financial incentives for both local communities and national governments to conserve and restore forests also makes sense. It will put an economic value on these precious natural resources and drive the right behaviours from both government and business.
Left unchecked, climate change risks not only making the poorest poorer, but pulling the emerging middle classes back into poverty, too.
Leadership is not a contest of likeability. Leadership often boils down to making the tougher choices. You are not in a popularity contest.
P&G started in 1837, Nestle in 1857. These companies have been around for so long because they are in tune with society. They are very responsible companies, despite the challenges that they sometimes deal with, all the criticism they get.
I've always been bothered by systems that don't work for everybody. It doesn't mean we're all equal. I am not naive about that. But we should have a more inclusive society.
Unilever brings together the resources and experience of a multinational company alongside our deep local roots, which enables us to grow a genuinely African consumer goods business.
Africa's vibrancy and entrepreneurial spirit is un-matched. There's huge potential here to grow business, create jobs, and to improve living standards.
Every region in the world faces challenges - and Africa is hugely diverse, so its own challenges are varied.
