Unilever has elevated Conny Braams to the new role of chief digital and marketing officer, with effective from January 2020. Braams appointment follows months after former chief marketing and communications officer Keith Weed’s retirement in April 2019.
She is currently the EVP, Middle Europe, and is responsible for Unilever’s business in DACH, Nordics, Italy and the Benelux, where she leads the company’s largest European unit.
Braams was previously EVP Benelux and Home Care Europe, where she led the complete digital and marketing transformation of the business. Prior to that, Braams accelerated the growth of Unilever Food Solutions business as its EVP for Asia, Africa and Middle East between 2010 and 2016. She joined the company in 1990 and has held a wide variety of marketing leadership and general management roles across several key Asian and European markets.
Unilever CEO Alan Jope said Braams is one of its most successful and talented leaders, as well as a highly effective driver of change. “As our new chief digital and marketing officer, her experience will be critical to the transformation of Unilever into a future-fit, fully digitised organisation at the leading edge of consumer marketing,” he added.
Meanwhile, Fabian Garcia is succeeding Amanda Sourry as president, Unilever North America as she decides to retire after more than 30 years to pursue new opportunities. His appointment is also effective 1 January 2020, with Sourry supporting the leadership transition into early 2020. Garcia will report to COO Nitin Paranjpe.
From 2016 to 2018, Garcia was president and CEO of Revlon, where he initiated the transformation of Revlon and started the restoration of its iconic brands to health. He also strengthened its portfolio through the integration of its Elizabeth Arden acquisition, made in 2016. Before that from 2010 to 2016, he was COO global innovation and growth, Colgate Palmolive, having previously been president of the Asia/Pacific Division and EVP Latin America. Garcia began his career at P&G, holding roles during his 16 years at the company which included president of Max Factor Japan, and GM of the paper and beauty division, Venezuela.
Jope also welcomed Garcia, who he described as “a truly global and purpose-driven business leader”. According to Jope, Garcia brings to Unilever deep experience of the consumer goods industry in North America and many other markets, as well as an impressive track record of high performance.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Amanda for her significant contribution to Unilever over so many years. Her strategic clarity, operational experience and passion for developing talent have made her one of the company’s best leaders of recent times. We wish her all the best for the future,” Jope said.
