Paul Polman is a business leader, author, and advocate for purposeful leadership. As the co-author of “Net Positive: How Courageous Companies Thrive by Giving More Than They Take,” which was named a Financial Times Business Book of the Year, he emphasizes how businesses can thrive by prioritizing purpose for profit. Ranked #3 in Thinkers50, Paul is renowned for his commitment to integrating purpose with business strategy.
Paul's leadership philosophy revolves around driving transformative change to address critical global issues. As CEO of Unilever from 2009 to 2019, he demonstrated that prioritizing purpose alongside financial performance not only leads to significant returns but also fosters a thriving workplace and societal impact. Under his stewardship, Unilever achieved a 290% return for shareholders while pioneering in social and environmental responsibility.
Today, Paul continues to champion purposeful leadership through his work with various organizations, including Systemiq and private equity. He collaborates across industries and with diverse stakeholders—ranging from fashion and food sectors to government and civil society—to advance goals that regenerate economies, renew societies, and drive systemic change. His previous roles include leading the UN Global Compact and serving as an Ambassador for the Race to Zero and Race to Resilience.
Passionate about developing the next generation of leaders, Paul chairs the Oxford University Saïd Business School and engages with INSEAD, IESE, PRME, and One Young World. His advocacy extends to human rights and disability inclusion, through initiatives like the Valuable 500 and the Kilimanjaro Blind Trust, which he founded with his wife, Kim.