Changes to executive team
19/12/2006 : Unilever today announced that John Rice, President Americas, has decided to retire from Unilever after 25 years of service. John, who will step down in March 2007, will be replaced on the Unilever Executive Team as President Americas by Michael Polk. Michael is currently Group Vice President and President Unilever United States. Michael joined Unilever in 2003 after 16 years at Kraft Foods Inc.
Patrick Cescau, Group Chief Executive, said: "I want to thank John for his many contributions to Unilever over the course of his career with the company. Most recently this included his commitment to help build the new One Unilever organization as well as the successful leadership of the Americas region for the past two years. We will all miss his leadership and experience.
"Mike has played a key role in successfully integrating the US business and sustaining our growth momentum in this important country. I am really pleased that he is taking on the leadership of the Americas region."
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