Sebastian Munden

Chair of Ad Net Zero, Chair of WRAP, and recent former CEO of Unilever UK & Ireland

Sebastian Munden

Sebastian Munden

Sebastian brings insights from competing in consumer products around the world to leading a £2bn+ company in the UK in uncertain times: what it takes to deliver results as a CEO today in the glare of unprecedented transparency, and with multiple stakeholders, from shareholders to householders.

How do we get every function behind purpose and sustainability as standard? Essential in every leader's backpack is a practical approach to transformation and behaviour change, whether we are considering the teams we lead or the good people who buy our products and services

Themes

Culture
Leadership in Uncertainty
Sustainability

Travels from

London, UK

Biography

Sebastian Munden is the Chair of WRAP, and the Chair of Ad Net Zero, the advertising industry’s global climate change action programme, after recently stepping down as CEO of Unilever UK & Ireland following a career spanning 32 years there.

With 32 years’ experience serving consumers around the world through the ups, downs and shocks of the global economy, Sebastian has first-hand experience of doing business as a force for good: creating strong brands, competitiveness, agility, and better outcomes for society. He champions collaboration between businesses from different sectors to transform packaging ecosystems, eliminate waste and accelerate decarbonisation. He was on the Advisory Panel for Henry Dimbleby’s national food strategy independent review for government.​

Sebastian has also led significant global digital transformation of marketing and commerce for Unilever. He has been a strong advocate for retraining, apprenticeships, and work placement opportunities to develop new capabilities and get young people from more diverse backgrounds into the consumer products industry. He serves on the Steering Group for Movement to Work, a charity supported by employers which aims to get more young people into fulfilling work.

Prior to leading Unilever UK & Ireland, Sebastian has held senior roles in Unilever across Europe and North America, including leader of the Laundry Category for Europe, Australia and New Zealand, before becoming head of the Global Marketing Operations Team in 2013 supporting the COO and CEO.

Sebastian is married to Elisabeth and has two adult children. He is a passionate supporter of classical music, opera, and Harlequins rugby club.

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