Unilever appoints Ian Meakins as chair designate

Consumer goods giant Unilever said on Friday that it has appointed Ian Meakins - who is currently chair of catering group Compass and Rexel - as a non-executive director and chair designate.

Meakins will join the board on 1 September and will succeed Nils Andersen as chair on 1 December. Andersen will step down after nine years' service at the company’s AGM in May 2024.

Unilever said Meakins has "significant" global business experience across a diverse range of industries. He served as chief executive of Wolseley (now Ferguson) from 2009 to 2016, of Travelex Holdings from 2007 to 2009 and of Alliance Unichem from 2004, until its merger with Boots in 2006.

Previously, he held positions at Diageo, Bain & Company, and Procter & Gamble.

Andersen said: "I am delighted to welcome Ian to the board following a thorough global search process. Ian has a strong track record of success in executive and non-executive roles across a range of industries.

"I am sure Unilever will greatly benefit from his extensive experience and I am confident that he will provide the board with strong and effective leadership."