Management structures
Our commitment to sustainable development is embedded into our business agenda through our Vitality mission, as expressed in our Corporate Purpose. Management structures to help us fulfil our commitment are integrated into our organisational framework:
sustainability and corporate responsibility are championed and led by a member of our Unilever Executive, Vindi Banga, President Foods, Home & Personal Care
strategic development of our social and environmental goals is the responsibility of our Foods and Home and Personal Care categories and their global brand teams
implementation is rooted in our operating companies within our three regions: the Americas, Europe and Asia Africa
priorities are set and action co-ordinated by our Corporate Responsibility Council. This comprises representatives from across the business and meets three times a year
governance of our conduct as a responsible corporate citizen is provided by our Board's Corporate Responsibility and Reputation Committee which meets quarterly
both our Council and Committee benefit from the insights of the Unilever Sustainable Development Group – a group of five external experts in corporate responsibility and sustainability, chaired by Unilever Executive member, Vindi Banga, who meet twice a year.
This governance structure is supported by a small team at our corporate headquarters, led by our senior vice president for corporate responsibility, who also sits on our Corporate Responsibility Council and supports our Corporate Responsibility and Reputation Committee and the Unilever Sustainable Development Group. The team also works closely with the specialist teams who provide support and advice on specific areas. These include our Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre (SEAC), the Unilever Food & Health Research Institute (UFHRI), our Global Health through Hygiene Programme (GHHP) and our Sustainable Agriculture Steering Group.
Corporate Responsibility Council
The Council's role is to ensure that our business and individual brands are aligned with our corporate responsibility and sustainability agenda, and to agree priorities and monitor progress in this area. It also oversees the Unilever brand and our global partnerships. The Council comprises representatives from our Foods and Home and Personal Care categories and the leaders of our corporate responsibility, R&D and global supply chain functions, as well as representatives from our Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre and regions.
Corporate Responsibility & Reputation Committee
Our Corporate Responsibility and Reputation Committee has responsibility for overseeing Unilever's conduct as a responsible corporate citizen, and for ensuring that Unilever’s reputation is protected and enhanced. The members of the Committee are our Non-executive directors Leon Brittan, Narayana Murthy and Hixonia Nyasulu. Leon Brittan chairs the Committee.
Unilever Sustainable Development Group
We have internationally respected external advisers who meet regularly as a group and individually with senior management and scientists. They form a panel of independent – and independently minded – experts who advise us on the challenges of sustainable development.
They are:
Daniel Esty
Ma Jun
Malini Mehra
Jonathon Porritt
Tiahoga Ruge.
Safety & Environmental Assurance Centre (SEAC)
SEAC's role is to provide independent scientific evidence and guidance so that Unilever can identify and manage:
risks for consumers, workers and the environment with regard to the safety of products and supply chain technology; and
environmental impacts, with regard to the sustainability of Unilever's brands, products and supply chain.
Unilever Food & Health Research Institute (UFHRI)
Around 450 scientific staff work on the development of new products and processes and continuously improve the nutritional quality of our products, often in conjunction with external partners. The Institute shares and discusses our research widely, through publication in journals and an annual symposium involving external scientific experts.
Global Health through Hygiene Programme
Our Global Health through Hygiene Programme (GHHP) co-ordinates Unilever's efforts to make a measurable contribution to the health and hygiene of people around the world through practical, community-based initiatives. It takes successful initiatives from one brand or country and tailors them to address consumer hygiene needs elsewhere.
Sustainable Agriculture Steering Group
The Sustainable Agriculture Steering Group comprises Unilever staff from around the world responsible for managing our Sustainable Agriculture Initiative. Its objective is to promote sustainable supply chains, focusing on long–term, sustainable access to Unilever's key crops. Professor Jules Pretty from the University of Essex in the UK acts as principal advisor to the Group.
The Steering Group benefits from the input of the Sustainable Agriculture Advisory Board, which consists of external experts from not for profit organisations and research institutes in the voluntary sector and academia. Its role is to provide independent advice and judgment and to strengthen policy-making within Unilever.
