Paul Polman is a renowned business leader, campaigner, and former CEO of Unilever (2009-2018), celebrated for championing the concept of business as a force for good. His work is dedicated to fundamentally reshaping the relationship between business and society, proving that a long-term, multi-stakeholder model can achieve superior financial performance. He is a leading global voice on sustainability, leadership, and systemic change.
During his tenure as CEO, Polman drove Unilever to consistently achieve top and bottom-line growth, outperforming its sector while simultaneously ranking first in the world for sustainability. He demonstrated a clear link between deeply ingrained values—like dignity, respect, and equity—and enduring business success. This philosophy is codified in his book, Net Positive: How Courageous Companies Thrive by Giving More Than They Take, which urges leaders to go beyond "less bad" corporate social responsibility (CSR) to embrace models that repair and regenerate the world.
Polman’s influence extends into global governance and non-profit work. He was a member of the UN Secretary General’s High-Level Panel that developed the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and remains an active SDG Advocate, working to accelerate the 2030 agenda. He is the Co-Founder and Chair of the social venture The IMAGINE Foundation, dedicated to systems change, and the Founder of the Kilimanjaro Blind Trust charity. His leadership roles include being Vice Chair of the UN Global Compact and an Honorary Chair of the International Chamber of Commerce.
Widely recognized for his path-breaking work—including being named a "standout CEO of the past decade" by The Financial Times—Polman delivers high-impact presentations on transformative leadership and the courage required for systemic innovation. His motto, "it’s better to make the dust than eat the dust," inspires audiences to be bold, seek unlikely partners, and relentlessly pursue endeavors that create lasting, shared value for all stakeholders and future generations.
