“Purpose has always been part of Unilever's DNA. Our founder, William Lever, built a business around the sale of Lifebuoy soap that was not only profitable and sustainable but also helped transform the health of the poor in Victorian Britain.”

Dutch business executive and author

Paul Polman is a Dutch business executive and author. He is known for his leadership in global business and for writing on business, sustainability, and long-term value. Polman has held senior roles in major international companies, and his public work often focuses on the responsibilities of business beyond short-term profit. As an author and speaker, he is associated with ideas about sustainable growth, corporate purpose, and leadership that looks beyond the immediate quarter.