Business Leader
Environmentalist
Humanitarian
Author
Thought Leader
World Environment Day
World Earth Day

Paul Polman - Speaker

Paul Polman | PepTalk Expert Speaker
Paul Polman | PepTalk Expert Speaker
Effective Leadership
Sustainability
Leadership Development

Paul Polman

Drive meaningful change through purposeful leadership with Paul Polman, speaker, former CEO of Unilever, and co-author of “Net Positive"
Effective Leadership
Sustainability
Leadership Development
Paul Polman
Drive meaningful change through purposeful leadership with Paul Polman, speaker, former CEO of Unilever, and co-author of “Net Positive"
Get a Quote
| | |
This is some text inside of a div block.
Paul Polman | PepTalk Expert Speaker
Send us a Request
Exit

Paul Polman | Speaker Biography

About Paul Polman

CEO of Unilever from 2009-2019
Works with organisations to help speed global action to regenerate the planet
Chair of the Oxford University Saïd Business School, working to develop the next generation of leaders
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.

Want to book Paul Polman for your next event?  

Email paul.polman@getapeptalk.com, and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.

Please note: we can only assist with speaking requests. For anything else, we recommend reaching out to Paul Polman directly.

What topics does Paul Polman specialise in?  

Paul Polman specialises in talking about purposeful leadership, sustainable business practices, transformative change and more.

What is Paul Polman's speaking style like?  

Paul delivers impactful insights with clarity and purpose, inspiring transformative change. His leadership style integrates business strategy with social responsibility, fostering collaboration across sectors to drive meaningful progress. AI summary based on real event feedback.

Does Paul Polman offer virtual speaking engagements?  

Yes, Paul Polman offers virtual speaker bookings for webinars, online conferences, and remote or distributed team engagements.

Why Should You Book Paul Polman?

Book Paul Polman to inspire your team with transformative insights on sustainable business practices. His proven track record at Unilever and expertise in tackling climate change and inequality will empower your organisation to thrive while making a positive impact. Elevate your vision and drive meaningful change with his compelling message.
Book Speaker
See Paul In Action
Words of Praise from others about
Paul Polman
| | |
| | |
| | |
This is some text inside of a div block.
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |

Book 

Paul Polman
Choose the best date and time for your team and request it now.
Your details:
Event details:
In-Person In-Person
Virtual Virtual
Not Sure
Calendar
Budget
1k to 2k
3k to 5k
6k to 10k
11k to 25k
26k to 50k
51k to 99k
100k+
Not sure yet
Other ways to book:
Chat Now
Chat live to our team
Similar Speakers
See All Speakers
No items found.

Trusted by leading companies

EY
Oracle
Capgemini
Astrazeneca
MoetHennessy
HSBC
BT
SocieteGenerale
Fujitsu
Estee Lauder
Qualtrics
Coca-Cola
Mercedes-Benz
Publicis Groupe
Santander
Kingfisher
Domestic & General
Mayer Brown
Blackbaud Logo
Cisco Logo

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about booking a speaker
How do I book a speaker for my event?
Have all the speakers on the website previously worked with PepTalk?
Can I request a speaker to send a personal greeting?
How much do speakers and comedians cost?
How does PepTalk work? Is there a charge?
Why work with PepTalk?
What are PepTalk workshops?
How can I report an issue or make changes to an expert profile?

Book this PepTalk

Choose the best date and time for your team and request it now.
Your details:
Event details:
In-Person In-Person
Virtual Virtual
Not Sure
Calendar
Participant
0 to 50
50 to 100
100 to 150
150 to 200
200 to 250
250+
Other ways to book:
Chat Now
Chat live to our team