Unilever has announced that Dr. Marijn Dekkers will succeed Michael Treschow as chairman of Unilever NV and Unilever plc. He will be nominated for election to the boards at the annual general meetings in April 2016.  Dr. Dekkers is currently chief executive officer of Bayer and will step down from this role at the end of April.

Michael Treschow will retire from Unilever at the 2016 AGM after having served Unilever’s usual maximum tenure of nine years as chairman. Treschow says, “Dekkers is a highly successful businessman with a formidable track record gained in some of the world’s most competitive industries. I have no doubt that Unilever will greatly benefit from his knowledge, international experience and his strong belief in driving business growth responsibly and in the long term.”

Ann Fudge, vice-chairman and senior independent director, adds, “The Boards of Unilever are delighted to make this appointment. Our Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee conducted a thorough search. We set the bar high and I’m delighted our efforts have yielded such an excellent result.

The boards would also like to pay special tribute to Michael Treschow and the significant contribution he has made. Under his leadership Unilever has undergone one of its most successful periods in its history and he leaves the business well placed in its transformation journey. His strong leadership and commitment to sustainability and building long term profitable growth have been hallmarks of his Chairmanship and we wish him well in the years ahead.”