London/ Rotterdam -- (MARKET WIRE) -- December 19, 2006 --
CHANGES TO EXECUTIVE TEAM
Unilever today announced that John Rice, President Americas, has decided to
retire from Unilever after 25 years of service. John, who will step down in
March 2007, will be replaced on the Unilever Executive Team as President
Americas by Michael Polk. Michael is currently Group Vice President and
President Unilever United States. Michael joined Unilever in 2003 after 16
years at Kraft.
Patrick Cescau, Group Chief Executive, said: "I want to thank John for his many
contributions to Unilever over the course of his career with the company. Most
recently this included his commitment to help build the new One Unilever
organization as well as the successful leadership of the Americas region for the
past two years. We will all miss his leadership and experience."
"Mike has played a key role in successfully integrating the US business and
sustaining our growth momentum in this important country. I am really pleased
that he is taking on the leadership of the Americas region."
-ends-
About Unilever
Unilever's mission is to add vitality to life. We meet everyday needs for
nutrition, hygiene and personal care with brands that help people feel good,
look good and get more out of life.
Unilever is one of the world's leading suppliers of fast moving consumer goods
with strong local roots in more than 100 countries across the globe. Its
portfolio includes some of the world's best known and most loved brands
including twelve EUR1 billion brands and global leadership in many categories in
which the company operates. The portfolio features brand icons such as: Knorr,
Hellmann's, Lipton, Country Crock, Slim.Fast, Bertolli, Dove, Pond's, Axe, All.
Unilever has around 206,000 employees in approaching 100 countries and generated
annual sales of EUR40 billion in 2005. For more information about Unilever and
its brands, please visit
www.unilever.com.
SAFE HARBOUR STATEMENT: This announcement may contain forward-looking
statements, including 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the
United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as
'expects', 'anticipates', 'intends' or the negative of these terms and other
similar expressions of future performance or results and their negatives are
intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking
statements are based upon current expectations and assumptions regarding
anticipated developments and other factors affecting the Group. They are not
historical facts, nor are they guarantees of future performance. Because these
forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are important
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including, among
others, competitive pricing and activities, consumption levels, costs, the
ability to maintain and manage key customer relationships and supply chain
sources, currency values, interest rates, the ability to integrate acquisitions
and complete planned divestitures, physical risks, environmental risks, the
ability to manage regulatory, tax and legal matters and resolve pending matters
within current estimates, legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments,
political, economic and social conditions in the geographic markets where the
Group operates and new or changed priorities of the Boards. Further details of
potential risks and uncertainties affecting the Group are described in the
Group's filings with the London Stock Exchange, Euronext Amsterdam and the US
Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report & Accounts on
Form 20-F. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this
announcement. Except as required by any applicable law or regulation, the Group
expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any
updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to
reflect any change in the Group's expectations with regard thereto or any change
in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
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