The Boards of Unilever
To ensure unity of governance and management, the chairman and all of the directors are directors of both NV and PLC.
The Boards are one-tier boards, comprising executive directors and, in a majority, non-executive directors.
Further details of how our Boards effectively operate as one board, govern themselves and delegate their authorities are set out in 'The Governance of Unilever'.
Appointment of directors
In order to try to ensure that NV and PLC have the same directors, the articles of association of both NV and PLC contain provisions which ensure that both NV and PLC shareholders are presented with the same candidates for election as directors. Shareholders have the right to nominate candidates to the Boards of Unilever taking into account the need to ensure unity of management.
In nominating directors, Unilever’s profile for potential non-executive directors takes into account the roles of non-executive directors set out in the Dutch Corporate Governance Code and the UK Corporate Governance Code. The profile considers diversity in terms of nationality, race, gender and relevant expertise and directs that, wherever possible, the Boards should reflect Unilever’s consumer base.
The Unilever Boards are pleased that we already have 25% female representation on the Boards. We will continue to aspire to increase that level. However, Unilever feels that gender is only one part of diversity, and Unilever directors will continue to be selected on the basis of the wide-ranging experience, backgrounds, skills, knowledge and insight of its members.
Further details of the procedure to appoint directors are set out in the document 'Appointment procedure for NV and PLC directors'.
Details of the executive directors service contract are set out in the document 'Executive directors service contracts table'.
The profiles of our non-executive directors, their retirement schedules, their terms of engagement and fee structures are set out in the documents below.
Further details of the role and responsibilities of the chairman, the chief executive officer and the executive and non-executive directors are set out in the document entitled 'The Governance of Unilever'.
