Unilever is set to embark on a further stage of corporate restructuring as it looks to step up its growth in developing markets.
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The consumer goods giant has decided to manage its businesses in Central and Eastern Europe alongside its operations in Asia and Africa.
Unilever saw sales climb 11% in Asia and Africa last year, while Russia was one of the key factors behind the company’s rising sales in Europe.
As part of the changes, Unilever will manage its businesses in Western Europe as a stand-alone unit.
The moves mean changes at the top of Unilever’s executive team. Harish Manwani, currently president of Unilever’s business in Asia and Africa, will lead the new expanded division, including Central and Eastern Europe.
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By GlobalDataDoug Baillie, CEO of Hindustan Unilever, will move to head up the Western European unit.
Kees van der Graaf, who heads Unilever’s present European operations, will stand down from the role in May.
The two roles of president of Unilever’s home and personal care brands and president of its food business will be merged, with Vindi Banga, currently president of Unilever’s foods operations, taking the enlarged role.
Chief executive Patrick Cescau said: “These measures build naturally on the changes of recent years and give us an organisational structure even better placed to advance our growth agenda.”
