Paul Polman is an internationally recognised business leader, investor, philanthropist, and advocate for sustainable development.

As CEO of Unilever (2009–2019), he pioneered a purpose-driven business model proving that sustainability can outperform traditional corporate strategies. Under his leadership, shareholder returns grew significantly while Unilever was consistently ranked among the world’s most sustainable companies and best workplaces.

He is a co-architect of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and continues to drive system change through leadership coalitions, sustainable finance, and strategic advisory roles across global institutions.

Polman chairs One Young World and The Valuable 500, and serves on several global boards including The Rockefeller Foundation, Mo Ibrahim Foundation, and the European Climate Foundation. He is also a co-chair of the Planetary Guardians and has held senior leadership roles at the International Chamber of Commerce, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, and the UN Global Compact.

He is co-author of Net Positive: How Courageous Companies Thrive by Giving More Than They Take, named one of the Financial Times’ top business books, and ranked #1 by Thinkers50 (2025) alongside Andrew Winston for their influence on management thinking.

Widely recognised for his impact, he has received honours including the UN’s highest environmental award, a knighthood from the UK, France’s Légion d’honneur, Singapore’s Public Service Star, and the Oslo Business for Peace Award.

Polman’s work focuses on redefining the role of business in society, positioning companies as key drivers of global sustainability and long-term value creation.