Unilever Chief Sustainability Officer steps down

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🗞️ Driving the news: Unilever’s Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, Rebecca Marmot, has stepped down after over six years in the company’s top sustainability role
• Marmot announced her departure via LinkedIn, describing the move as a “wrench” but also expressing excitement for a new opportunity
• She will be succeeded by Michael Stewart, who joined Unilever in October, though his new title notably does not include “Chief Sustainability Officer”

🔭 The context: Marmot joined Unilever in 2007 and was appointed Chief Sustainability Officer in 2019, a period during which the company gained global recognition for its ESG leadership
• Her expanded role in 2025 reflected a growing trend of integrating sustainability with corporate affairs
• Stewart brings a background in corporate communications from PwC and Edelman, and will now oversee Unilever’s sustainability efforts alongside his broader external affairs remit

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Unilever is widely seen as a bellwether for corporate sustainability
• The decision to remove the CSO title raises questions about whether sustainability will retain the same prominence in its leadership structure
• Consolidating sustainability under a broader corporate affairs role could risk deprioritising environmental objectives at a time when companies face increasing scrutiny over climate and social performance

⏭️ What's next: Stewart will lead Unilever’s global sustainability team and strategy, but the absence of a dedicated CSO may prompt investor and stakeholder inquiries about governance, transparency, and ESG ambition
• The shift will be closely watched as Unilever continues to navigate evolving global expectations on decarbonisation, ethical sourcing, and plastic reduction
• The company has not yet detailed how the transition may impact its sustainability roadmap

💬 One quote: “Leading Unilever’s external engagement and sustainability work globally has been absolutely brilliant,” — Rebecca Marmot, outgoing Chief Sustainability & Corporate Affairs Officer

📈 One stat: Unilever has pledged to achieve net zero emissions across its value chain by 2039, one of the most ambitious targets in the consumer goods sector

See on illuminem's Data Hub™ the sustainability performance of Unilever and its peers like Nestlé,and  Procter & Gamble

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