Anglo-Dutch consumer goods giant Unilever has announced that its chairman Marijn Dekkers is to step down from the role.

He will be replaced by Nils Andersen.

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Dekkers, who was appointed chairman of the board of Unilever in April 2016, has chosen to stand down so that he can focus on his role as founder and chairman of Novalis LifeSciences, the investment and advisory firm.

He will continue to serve as a non-executive director of Unilever.

Andersen is currently a non-executive director of the Marmite and Colman’s manufacturer. He has served on the Unilever board since April 2015 and is currently a member of the board’s audit committee. He was previously president and chief executive officer of brewing heavyweight Carlsberg.

Dekkers said: “It has been a huge honour to serve as chairman of Unilever and I am very proud of the work we continue to do as a truly purpose-driven company. My decision to step down has been a difficult one to make but I look forward to seeing Unilever go from strength to strength under Nils as chairman.”

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Andersen said: “I am very proud to have been asked to succeed Marijn and I look forward to working with the board and the Unilever leadership team to support the company’s continued growth.”

Andersen will step down from the audit committee and be appointed as chair of the nominating and corporate governance committee and as a member of the compensation committee. Dekkers will remain as a member of the compensation committee and the nominating and corporate governance committee.

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