Details on last positions

2015 - now: Galilei (Randstad) - Consultant (part time)

Galilei is the leader in outplacement in Belgium. Missions of Executive Coaching, career coaching, outplacement in Belgium, while I keep my independant practice for the other markets.  

2014 - now: The Fairtrade Foundation (UK) - Trustee

2013 - now: K&UP Consult sprl - Senior International Executive Coaching  

I have set up my own coaching practice after retiring from Unilever. 

2011 – 2013: Unilever, London - Executive Vice President, Global Category Spreads

The main objective of this job was to drive a profound transformation of this €4bn category: Margarine is one of the foundation pillars of UL, it is very profitable, but the drivers of growth of the past were less relevant. Main realizations: completely reshaped the strategy and innovation portfolio, mobilized the organization from top to bottom behind the transformation.

As my retirement was nearing, I progressively handed over these responsibilities and in parallel, I integrated Sustainability into the Foods business agenda on behalf of the President Foods, to make it a competitive advantage. And I formally coached a number of talents in Foods, as a preparation to my future career.  

2006 – 2011: Unilever, Paris - Executive Vice President, Global Category Beverages

Responsible for Tea and Soy Beverages (overall T/O €4bn including JVs). Also on the Board of the 2 Pepsi-Lipton JVs which commercialize Ready-to-Drink Teas globally. The main focus was on exploiting the latent growth potential of tea and soy. 

Key achievements include: brought Tea from a low interest category for Unilever to the status of priority category, through accelerated growth; first breakthrough innovations and technology in tea in decades; pioneered branded CSR for Unilever.

2001 – 2006: Unilever, Rotterdam - Senior Vice President, Spreads & Cooking products (SCC), and Dressings, Europe; Senior Vice President, Spreads & Cooking products, Global.

Started as SVP Spreads & Cooking products (SCC), Global. In 2005, SCC Europe (the majority of the global business) was then merged with Dressings Europe under my leadership.

Key achievements: Margarine: reversal of a traditionally declining into a steadily growing category in 4 of the 5 years. Dressings: in this short time, reversed the view that this was low interest category, by showing how it could capitalise on Vitality trends. 

1997 – 2001:  Chairman Unilever Bestfoods Bel.; National Manager; Chairman Iced Teas Category Eur.(simultaneously)

Chairman of Unilever Bestfoods: one of the major Food companies in Belgium, and of Unilever in Foods Europe; leader in most markets.

The main achievement was the transformation of a very profitable but declining company into a growing company, while increasing the profitability. The big challenge was the succession of disposals following the re-focus on core categories, while keeping the motivation of the employees.

Member of the Unilever Europe Foods Board 

President of Unilever Belgium: the "face of Unilever" in Belgium, responsible for all common activities and shared services: PA, Legal, Taxation, HR, etc.

Chairman Iced teas Category Europe: responsible for the Innovation Centre, the strategy in all European countries, and the delivery of category expertise to the countries.