Governance

Management structures

Our commitment to sustainable development is embedded into our business agenda through our new vision. 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 the Unilever Executive: Vindi Banga, President Foods, Home and Personal Care. The Unilever Executive is responsible for the operational leadership of the business

• strategic development of our social and environmental goals is the responsibility of our four product categories and their global brand teams. These categories are savoury, dressings and spreads; ice cream and beverages; personal care; and home care

• implementation is rooted in our operating companies within our three regions: The Americas; Western Europe; and Asia, Africa and Central & Eastern Europe

• priorities are set and action co-ordinated by our Corporate Responsibility, Issues, Sustainability and Partnerships (CRISP) leadership team. This team of  senior leaders from across the business meets quarterly and is chaired by Unilever Executive member, Vindi Banga

• governance of our conduct as a responsible corporate citizen is provided by our Board's Corporate Responsibility and Reputation Committee

• both our CRISP leadership team and Board Committee benefit from the insights of the Unilever Sustainable Development Group (USDG) – a group of five external specialists in corporate responsibility and sustainability who guide and critique the development of our strategy.

This governance structure is supported by a small team at our corporate headquarters in London, led by our Senior Vice-President for Corporate Responsibility, who sits on the Corporate Responsibility, Issues, Sustainability and Partnerships (CRISP) leadership team and who supports our Board Corporate Responsibility and Reputation Committee and the Unilever Sustainable Development Group.

Specialist teams within Unilever support our work on sustainability such as our Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, the Global Health Partnerships Group and the Sustainable Agriculture Steering Group. These teams also obtain external input, for example through the Sustainable Agriculture Advisory Board.

Independent oversight: Corporate Responsibility & Reputation Committee

We have a Board committee of Non-Executive Directors – the Corporate Responsibility and Reputation Committee – which is charged with ensuring that we conduct our business responsibly and that Unilever's reputation is protected and enhanced. It ensures that our Code of Business Principles and Business Partner Code remain fit for purpose and are properly applied.

The Committee, which meets quarterly, comprises four independent Non-Executive Directors:

• Leon Brittan (Chair)

• Hixonia Nyasulu

• Narayana Murthy, and

• Louise Fresco.

The Committee benefits from the insights of both the USDG and CRISP.

Independent oversight: Audit Committee

One of the roles of the Board's Audit Committee is to review Unilever's overall approach to risk management and control, and its processes, outcomes and disclosure. The Committee considers the application of the Code of Business Principles as part of its remit to review risk management.

Governance of our codes: Corporate Code Committee

The Corporate Code Committee, chaired by our General Counsel, oversees the implementation of the Code of Business Principles and Business Partner Code on behalf of the operational leadership of the business, the Unilever Executive.

Executive management: Corporate Responsibility, Issues, Sustainability & Partnerships (CRISP) leadership team

The Unilever Executive, led by our Chief Executive Officer, is responsible for managing profit and loss and delivering growth. It is supported in matters of sustainability by our Corporate Responsibility, Issues, Sustainability and Partnerships (CRISP) leadership team (formerly our Corporate Responsibility Council).

The CRISP leadership team's role is to review our strategy to ensure its alignment with our business and sustainability priorities. It also oversees our global partnerships.

CRISP comprises leaders from our foods and home and personal care categories, our corporate responsibility, corporate brand, R&D, supply chain, issues management and legal functions.

External insights: Unilever Sustainable Development Group

Our strategy benefits from the insights of the Unilever Sustainable Development Group (USDG) – five internationally respected external specialists in corporate responsibility and sustainability. They form a panel of independent – and independently minded – experts who guide and critique the development of our strategy.

They are:

• Dan Esty – Hillhouse Professor of Environmental Law, Yale University, US

• Ma Jun – Water specialist and Founder  Director of the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs (IPEA), China

• Malini Mehra – Founder and CEO of the Centre for Social Markets, India

• Jonathon Porritt – Founder Director of Forum for the Future, UK

• Tiahoga Ruge – Director General of the Mexican government's Centre for Education and Training for Sustainable Development.

To ensure alignment between our CRISP team and the USDG, both are chaired by a member of the Unilever Executive, Vindi Banga.

Specialist input: 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

• environmental impacts, with regard to the sustainability of Unilever's brands, products and supply chain.

Specialist input: Global Health Partnerships Group

Our Global Health Partnerships Group connects Unilever brands and expertise with global health organisations. Its role is to develop and implement sustainable nutrition and hygiene solutions, with the objective of creating value for society and for our business.

Specialist input: 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 adviser 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 judgement and to strengthen policy-making within Unilever.

Other programmes

Our Environmental Impact team, Sustainability Champions' Network and Sustainable Packaging Steering team are three current examples of how teams come together to work on specific issues. These groups work to assess Unilever's footprint, formulate strategy, agree policy, work with category and brand teams to set specific goals and support the teams in implementing them. They also seek advice from external experts.