FDBusiness.com

Unilever has 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 new structure is designed to facilitate a more efficient rollout of increasingly bigger and more scalable innovations, and the optimisation 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. 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 organisation,” explains Paul Polman, chief executive of Unilever.

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

“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,” adds Paul Polman.

Paul Polman, chief executive of Unilever.

The Category organisation will be broadened to four categories reporting directly to Paul 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 savoury, 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.