Unilever‘s incoming CEO, Alan Jope, is to maintain two key financial targets introduced by predecessor Paul Polman.

The Magnum and Knorr maker will continue to look to grow its sales by 3-5% a year on an organic basis under the stewardship of Jope, who is due to take the reins at the FMCG giant in January.

Jope is also sticking to Unilever’s target, set out in 2017, of achieving an underlying operating margin of 20% by 2020.

The Scot is a Unilever veteran who joined the company in 1985 and has heled various roles, most recently as president of Unilever’s beauty and personal care division.

Jope’s appointment was announced last week. He will succeed Polman, who will stand down on 31 December after a decade at the helm of the consumer-goods group.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Analysts had been mulling whether Jope would maintain the targets. The margin goal was formally stated in the spring of 2017 after Unilever rebuffed takeover interest from US food giant Kraft Heinz.

Yesterday, Unilever announced a notable acquisition in India, snapping up a clutch of consumer-nutrition assets from UK-based pharmaceutical group GlaxoSmithKline.

just-food analysis, published November 2018: What could feature on to-do list of new Unilever CEO Alan Jope?