Paul Polman on adapting a Net Positive approach | How to profit from solving the world’s challenges?

April 8, 2025

In this Visionary Circle, Paul Polman will share his insights on what it means to be Net Positive. How can businesses create value while seizing new opportunities? What role do leaders play in this shift? Paul will explore how companies can adopt a long-term, purpose-driven approach that serves not just their bottom line, but also their employees, customers, suppliers, the communities around them, the planet, and future generations.

Paul Polman, Net Positive

Herman Levert, Flevum

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speaker
Paul Polman

Business leader, investor, philanthropist, and author of “Net Positive: how courageous companies thrive by giving more than they take”, a Financial Times Business Book of the Year. #3 Thinkers50.

As CEO of Unilever (2009-2019), Paul demonstrated that business can profit through purpose, marrying a long-term, multi-stakeholder model with excellent financial performance. During Paul’s tenure, shareholders saw their returns increase by 290% while the company consistently ranked 1st in the world for sustainability.

Today Paul works across a range of organisations to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which he helped develop. This includes his work to drive systems change with Systemiq and bold new industry coalitions, including in fashion and food. Until 2024, he led the UN Global Compact, is an Ambassador for the Race to Zero, and works to develop our next generation of leaders, through the Oxford University Saïd Business School, INSEAD, One Young World and others. Paul’s actively campaigns on a range of human rights issues, including promoting disability inclusion through the Valuable 500 and the Kilimanjaro Blind Trust, which he set up with his wife Kim. Sign up to receive his newsletter here. More on www.paulpolman.com.

Company
Net Positive

speaker
Herman Levert

Director Flevum Corporate Network

Company
Flevum

Information
Topic

Companies can profit from solving the world's problems.” Paul Polman’s leadership, as CEO of Unilever and working with businesses since, is testament to this. The key to meaningful transformation lies in becoming Net Positive - giving more to the world than you take. In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, from the digital revolution to the energy transition, change is happening whether we’re ready or not. However, profit and purpose don’t have to be at odds. In fact, the future belongs to companies that embrace these transitions and adopt a Net Positive approach.

In this Visionary Circle, Paul Polman will share his insights on what it means to be Net Positive. How can businesses create value while seizing new opportunities? What role do leaders play in this shift? Paul will explore how companies can adopt a long-term, purpose-driven approach that serves not just their bottom line, but also their employees, customers, suppliers, the communities around them, the planet, and future generations.

Program

Location: Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin, Noordwijk

17:30 | Start program (including presentation, discussion and a 3-course dinner)
20:30 | End of formal program, opportunity for informal networking

Audience

Chief Executive Officers and Supervisory Board Members

Language

English

Conditions

  • Participants have to meet the previously described target audience.
  • If applicable, our partners will be presented with every application.
  • During all our sessions, the Chatham House Rule applies. This means that the participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed. This means that no report, no photos and no recordings are made of the meeting. The presentation will also not be distributed to the participants afterwards.

Contact information

Agenda

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