Paul Polman
Drive meaningful change through purposeful leadership with Paul Polman, speaker, former CEO of Unilever, and co-author of “Net Positive"
London, United Kingdom
Enquire Now
Send us your event details
.svg){kind=icon}
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.
Topics, Sessions And Talks
In this session, Paul Polman, a renowned business leader and climate advocate, shares his insights on purposeful leadership in action. Drawing from his tenure as Unilever CEO and co-author of "Net Positive," he explores how businesses can thrive by embracing sustainability and social equity. He will discuss his ongoing efforts to unite industries, governments, and civil society to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals, demonstrating how leaders can drive transformational change for a more inclusive, resilient, and regenerative world.
In this keynote, Paul Polman explores how businesses can play a pivotal role in addressing inequality. Drawing from his experience at Unilever and his advocacy for the UN Sustainable Development Goals, he demonstrates how companies can leverage their resources and influence to drive social progress. He will share insights on creating inclusive growth, forming impactful partnerships, and fostering a culture of equity, proving that tackling inequality is not just a moral imperative but a business opportunity.
In this session, Paul Polman discusses the critical role of corporate transformation in today's rapidly changing world. Drawing on his experience as CEO of Unilever, he illustrates how companies can achieve lasting success by integrating purpose with profit. He will share strategies for fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and sustainability that addresses global challenges, and how courageous leadership can unlock growth, resilience, and positive impact across industries.
In this keynote, Paul Polman delves into how innovation can combat climate change. Drawing from his tenure at Unilever and ongoing work with global organizations, he explores how businesses can pioneer cutting-edge solutions to reduce environmental impact. He will share strategies for integrating sustainability into core operations, leveraging technology, and fostering collaborations that drive meaningful progress, illustrating how innovative approaches can create a positive climate impact while driving business success.
.svg)
Book
.svg)
.svg)
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about booking an expert speaker, facilitator, host or entertainment for your event.
- If you'd like to book one of our expert speakers, email us at hello@peptalk.com, send us a chat message or give us a call, and we’ll help you out.
- We’ll take your event details — topic, audience, budget, date, and location — and create a custom speaker proposal for you within 48 hours.
- If you already have someone in mind, that’s okay too; just let us know their name! Even if they aren't listed publicly on our website, we have a huge network and work with almost everyone.
- Once you've reviewed our speaker propsal and have selected and expert shortlist, we'll double check availability and fees with your chosen expert.
- You're welcome to have a chemistry call with the speaker before making the final decision, too.
- Next, we'll send out contracts to confirm the booking. One of our experienced event producers will liase with both you and the talent on the finer details, and arrange travel if necessary, taking the stress off your plate.
Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. We work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.
We do not accommodate requests for birthday messages or any other personal, non-commercial contact with the speakers, comedians or entertainers.
We work with speakers across a variety of fee ranges, giving you the flexibility to choose someone who fits your event's needs. Virtual keynote fees in the UK and Europe typically start at £2,000, while in-person top-tier speakers can reach £25,000. In the US, virtual in-person fees range from $5,000 to over $100,000, depending on the speaker and format, such as after-dinner talks, conference keynotes, Q&As, or podcasts. Comedians generally start at £1,500 or $2,000 for a 20-minute set.
Our goal is to help you find the speaker who best matches your event’s goals and budget. We take the time to understand your event, objectives, and audience to recommend the right fit. The most expensive option isn’t always the best one, and our priority is finding the ideal speaker or expert for your needs; not the highest-priced one.
Reach out for personalised recommendations and detailed information on specific speaker fees. We’re here to offer a tailored service and are always happy to discuss your unique requirements!
There’s no additional cost for our services beyond the speaker fee — simply contact us to find the right speaker for your next business or team event. We can also work with your corporate procurement team to negotiate favourable long-term rates, simply email hello@getapeptalk.com for more information.
Partnering with PepTalk means elevating your events with our curated roster of top motivational speakers, industry experts, delivering punchy keynotes that leave a lasting impact. From talent selection, to contracts and logistics, we handle it all. We have global expert network, with over 3000 speakers from over 33 countries on our line-up.
We also provide a full range of talent, from event hosts and moderators to interviewers and corporate entertainment, ensuring your event’s success from start to finish.
PepTalk workshops are interactive learning experiences for leaders at all levels, blending theory with practical insights from industry experts. These programs, led by experienced facilitators, are designed to drive real mindset changes and equip participants with actionable skills. Workshops can be customised to meet your organisation's specific needs. Explore our workshop examples and contact us today to learn how your team can benefit.
If you notice something that needs attention or have any queries regarding an expert speaker profile, feel free to email us at experts@getapeptalk.com, and we’ll be happy to assist.