Abstract

Unilever is one of the largest packaged consumer goods companies in the world. It has over 700 brands in its portfolio. The company has operations spread over 150 countries around the world. Unilever is owned by the Netherlands-based Unilever NV (NV) and UK-based Unilever PLC (PLC). Since 1930 when the Unilever Group was formed, NV and PLC together with their group companies, have operated and worked as a single entity. They have the same directors, adopt the same accounting principles, and are linked by equalisation agreements, which regulate the mutual rights of the two sets of shareholders. This case examines Unilever’’s corporate governance practices with special reference to board structure, board committees, directors’’ compensation and investor relationship. The case can be used for MBA students as part of the business ethics and corporate governance curriculum. The case aims at helping students understand the processes and systems underlying sound corporate governance.

Learning Objectives

The case is structured to achieve the following Learning Objectives:

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Keywords

Corporate governance, Unilever, Fast moving consumer goods, Largest consumer goods company, Board structure, Niall Fitz Gerald, Advisory directors, Renumeration policy, Board committees, Directors compensation, Investor relationship