Paul Polman

Business Leader | Climate and Equality Campaigner | Author

Paul Polman works to accelerate action by business to tackle climate change and inequality. He believes, above all, that humanity will only overcome our greatest shared challenges through far-reaching systems change and bold new partnerships to deliver the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which he helped develop.

As CEO of Unilever (2009-2019), Paul demonstrated that business can profit through purpose, marrying a long-term, multi-stakeholder model with excellent financial performance. During Paul’s tenure, shareholders saw their returns increase by 290% while the company consistently ranked 1st in the world for sustainability and as one of best places to work.

Today Paul works across a range of organisations and initiatives to help speed the global action needed to regenerate our planet, renew our economies and unite our societies. He helps business move further and faster on these ambitions, including through his work with Systemiq and through mobilizing private equity.

He helps drive bold new coalitions within industries such as fashion and food, as well as between the private sector, government and civil society, including through his prior work leading the UN Global Compact and as an Ambassador for the Race to Zero and Race to Resilience.

Paul is also passionate about developing our next generation of leaders, which he does as chair of the Oxford University Saïd Business School, and through his work with INSEAD, IESE and the Boards of PRME and One Young World.

In 2021, Paul’s published his critically-acclaimed book with sustainability expert Andrew Winston, Net Positive, which sets out how to build companies which succeed by fixing the world’s problems, rather than creating them. He has been recognized as #3 in Thinkers50. He actively campaigns on a range of human rights issues, including promoting disability inclusion through the Valuable 500 and the Kilimanjaro Blind Trust, which he set up with his wife, Kim.

Speaker Sessions

Confirmed Speakers

  • Ensuring Water Security
  • Restoring and Protecting Nature
  • Building Resilient Communities
  • Reaching Destination Net Zero
  • Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
  • Finance, Trade and Investment
  • Government Policy
  • Innovation, Technology and Deployment
  • Labour, Skills Training and Capacity Building
  • Circular Practices and Business Models
  • Corporate Governance
  • Indigenous Leadership and Ways of Knowing
Session Date
Tuesday, Feb 11 2025 | 6:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Featuring
Jane Ambachtsheer Global Head of Sustainability, BNP Paribas Asset Management
Gwen Bridge Chief Executive Officer and President, Gwen Bridge Consulting Ltd.
David Coletto Founder, Chair and CEO, Abacus Data
Selwyn Crittendon CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer, IKEA Canada
Carolyn Kim Vice President, Corporate Affairs, UPS Canada; Director, Green Economy Canada
Johan Lopez Finance Sector Engagement Lead, Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
Anna Malhari Chief Operating Officer, Veris Residential
Paul Polman Business Leader | Climate and Equality Campaigner | Author
Councillor Larry Sault Councillor Pillar 7 Lead: Inclusive Leadership and Governance, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation; President and CEO, Anwaatin Inc.
Elizabeth Shirt President, GLOBE Series
Shanika Whitehurst Associate Director, Product Sustainability, Research and Testing, Consumer Reports