Unilever, the Anglo-Dutch consumer goods group, has appointed Neal Matheson as chief technology officer, a newly created role.

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Matheson will report directly to group CEO Patrick Cescau.


“I am very pleased that Neal is joining us in this important new role,” Cescau said. “Unilever has always recognised the importance that great science and technology play in driving business success. I am confident that Neal will help drive and enhance the long-term growth of Unilever through scientific innovation.”


Having previously been chief technology officer at Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Matheson will take on a wide-ranging role at Unilever, advising on science and technology matters, leading science platforms across the company and will, according to the company, “champion the development of functional excellence in R&D”. He will also head up Unilever’s Safety & Environmental Assurance Centre.


Matheson graduated in 1969 from Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Prior to joining Johnson & Johnson in 1994, Matheson had been with Procter & Gamble for 25 years

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