Unilever reorganizes to grow business in emerging markets

Unilever announced changes to its category and go-to-market structure to further support its growth plans, especially in its fast-developing businesses in the emerging markets. The company says that the new structure should result in more efficient rollout of increasingly bigger and more scalable innovations, and the optimization of resources behind strategic priorities.

"Unilever now has over half its turnover in the emerging markets, where, over the last 10 years, growth has been close to double digits," says Unilever CEO Paul Polman. "We have an opportunity to better support this footprint of the business, to keep our strong momentum, with a more globally aligned country and category organization."

As part of these changes Harish Manwani will be appointed as chief operating officer, effective Sept. 1 , and will take responsibility for all markets, in order to drive speed-to-market behind further simplification and efficiency.

Manwani is currently president, Asia Africa, Central and Eastern Europe. He joined Hindustan Lever (HLL) in 1976, becoming a member of the HLL board in1995 as director responsible for the personal products business. As category leader for personal products, he also held regional responsibility for the Central Asia and Middle East business group.

In 2000, he moved to the UK as senior vice president, global hair care and oral care, and in 2001 was appointed president, home and personal care, Latin America business group. He also served as chairman of Unilever's Latin America Advisory Council.

In 2004, he was appointed president and CEO of the HPC North America business group, and in April 2005 joined the Unilever Executive as president, Asia Africa. He is also non-executive chairman of Hindustan Lever and is currently a member of the Executive Board of the Indian School of Business.

Unilever also has changed its organizational structure to have four categories led by executives, who report directly to the CEO Polman.

Dave Lewis, currently president , Americas, will be appointed as president, Personal Care consisting of skin, deodorants, oral and hair. Kevin Havelock, currently executive vice president ice cream, will be appointed as president of the newly established refreshment category, which includes ice cream and beverages. Antoine de Saint Affrique, currently executive vice president skin, will be appointed as president, food which includes savory, spreads and dressings. In the home care category, Randy Quinn, currently executive vice president laundry, and Sean Gogarty, senior vice president household care, will report directly to Paul Polman.

The new structures will be put in place during the third quarter and will be fully operational before year-end. "Over the past few years we have seen a significant step-up in our innovation success rate and our speed to roll them out across markets. The new structure will further accelerate this," Polman remarks.

Michael B. Polk, currently president, global foods, home and personal care and member of the Unilever Executive has announced his intention to leave Unilever after eight years with the company to become president & CEO of Newell Rubbermaid with effect from July 18.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed every moment of my time at Unilever, especially the last few years working with Paul and the rest of the executive to really transform the company," says Polk. "Our global category organization is now a real powerhouse that combines global brand and technology scale with local knowledge and execution."

"Mike is a great leader and has had a very successful career with Unilever since joining from Kraft eight years ago," Polman remarks. "In his current role, he has made a major contribution in sharpening our portfolio strategy and developing bigger and better innovations. He will leave a lasting impact on the company. I wish him success in his future endeavors."

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