Has Sustainability at Unilever Entered a New Era?

A leadership transition at Unilever signals a potential evolution in its approach to sustainability and corporate affairs.

After a long tenure, Rebecca Marmot, Unilever’s Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, is stepping down, creating a key moment for the consumer goods giant and the wider manufacturing sector that looks to Unilever for guidance.

The move sees Michael Stewart take on an expanded role overseeing these crucial functions.

This change comes at a time when sustainability is deeply integrated into manufacturing processes, supply chains, and corporate reputation. For C-level executives across the industry, Unilever’s strategic adjustments in this area are often seen as a bellwether for future regulatory and consumer expectations.

Rebecca’s departure marks the conclusion of a chapter where sustainability was championed as a distinct and powerful force within Unilever.

The legacy of Rebecca's sustainability efforts

During her time at Unilever, Rebecca was instrumental in aligning Unilever with major global sustainability initiatives.

Since joining in 2007 and taking on the lead sustainability role in 2019, she has guided Unilever’s engagement with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and contributed to the momentum around the 2015 Paris Accord.

Her advocacy for a strong EU sustainability reporting framework and a robust Global Plastics Treaty has had implications for manufacturers throughout the supply chain. These efforts have helped to shape the environment in which consumer goods are produced, packaged and regulated.

Rebecca has also been a prominent voice on issues such as water access, presenting the business case for joint funding at the UN 2023 Water Conference.

Her belief in collaborative efforts was clear when she stated, "we cannot do this alone," a principle that has underpinned Unilever's partnerships with suppliers and other stakeholders.

A change in corporate leadership

The official leadership transition at Unilever was announced by Rebecca on LinkedIn. 

“In July, I announced that I would be stepping down as Chief Sustainability & Corporate Affairs Officer at Unilever to embark on a new opportunity, and now that time has come,” she wrote. "Unilever is a fantastic company with incredible people - I’m proud to have been a part of it for so long.

“I feel hugely grateful and full of energy and optimism. Before leaving, I welcomed on board and handed over the reins to the wonderful Michael Stewart. I’ll be cheering him and the amazing team on as I navigate my next adventure,” she explains.

Her departure concludes nearly two decades of shaping Unilever's corporate and sustainability strategy.

Who is Michael Stewart?

Michael officially joined Unilever in October, becoming Chief Corporate Affairs and Communications Officer.

His role now incorporates the development of Unilever’s sustainability strategy and leadership of its global sustainability team, merging these functions with corporate and public affairs. This structural change could indicate a new phase in how Unilever integrates sustainability into its core business narrative.

Michael's background is in professional services and public relations. He joins Unilever from PwC, where he was a member of the Global Markets Leadership Team and AI Leadership Team, overseeing communications, public policy and sustainability.

Before this, he spent time on the global executive committee at Edelman and was a Partner at McKinsey. This experience in reputation management and global strategy across various industries could influence how Unilever communicates its objectives and performance to investors, regulators and partners.

His earlier work with UN-affiliated organisations also suggests a continued commitment to established global sustainability frameworks. This combination of corporate strategy and sustainability expertise will be crucial as Unilever navigates the evolving demands of the global market.