Media Release
26 February, 2020
Unilever Announces Leadership Change for Australian and New Zealand Business
Unilever announced that Nicole Sparshott, the CEO of its speciality teas business T2, has been appointed CEO of Unilever Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), after Clive Stiff decided to retire from the business following eight years in the role and thirty four years in fast moving consumer goods.
Clive joined Unilever in 2012 and has been a transformative leader throughout his tenure. He is credited with driving purpose-led growth, leading the digitisation of the ANZ business as a pioneer for Unilever globally, leading a number of M&A initiatives, and championing sustainability, diversity and inclusion both within the company and in external forums.
During his time leading Unilever ANZ, he has also served in the Male Champions of Change movement, on the Board of the Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia, on the Advisory Council of UNSW Business School and as Chair of the Australian Food & Grocery Council.
Nicole Sparshott (Nicky) will retain leadership of the T2 business as Global T2 CEO in addition to her role as CEO for Unilever Australia & New Zealand. She will assume the role from the beginning of April 2020 and will report to Unilever’s global Chief Operating Officer, Nitin Paranjpe.
Nicky brings to the role deep experience across general management, brand development and marketing, combined with a passion for purpose-led business. She joined Unilever ANZ in 2006 as Marketing Director for Foods, Ice Cream and Beverages, before moving to Singapore to take up various leadership roles in the Refreshment business across Asia.
Following Unilever’s acquisition of T2, she was appointed CEO T2 in 2016; and has since accelerated the business through market expansion, channel diversification and driving transformation across the value chain to enable its recently-awarded B-Corp accreditation. Prior to joining Unilever, Nicky held multi- market roles at P&G, The Coca-Cola Company and at advertising agency George Patterson. She serves on the boards of WWF-Australia and Global Sisters.
Clive Stiff said: “It’s been an absolute privilege to lead Unilever Australia & New Zealand for the past 8 years. I leave with a strong sense of pride in what our talented team has achieved together over this time – from continuing to deliver great brands and innovation for our consumers and retail partners, through to better serving our society and planet with the way we do business. I’m also confident that I’m leaving the business in very good hands under Nicky’s leadership.”
Nicky Sparshott said: “Having started my Unilever career in the ANZ business, I’m delighted to be returning to Australia to lead this fantastic organisation. Consumer trends and preferences are evolving rapidly, providing brands with an opportunity to be more innovative and dynamic than ever before. By leading Unilever ANZ during a period of significant change, Clive has laid a strong foundation of agility in the business, paving the way for our next stage of growth in this market.”
Clive will continue with the business until March 31 to ensure an orderly transition to the new CEO.
Source: Edelman.