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PH ‘homegrown’ talents take the helm in Unilever’s biggest markets in SEA

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New Unilever PH Chairman and CEO outlines actions to drive growth

Unilever Philippines' homegrown talent Benjie Yap, left, and Fredy Ong, right

Manila, Philippines, 12 February 2024 — Unilever Philippines Inc. has named Fredy Ong as its new Chairman and CEO, another homegrown talent at the multinational company’s helm. In a stakeholder event attended by government officials, foreign dignitaries, media executives, and the business community, Ong shared that he would lead key actions to drive growth, productivity and simplicity, and performance culture in the Philippines.

In October 2023, Unilever set out a Growth Action Plan focused on three priorities: delivering higher-quality growth, stepping up productivity and simplicity, and adopting a strong performance focus.

“We want to continue growing this business into the next century in respect of the legacy of all the Unilever Philippines leaders who have come before me, and for the customers, consumers, and communities that we serve,” Ong said.

Fredy Ong has been with Unilever for over 30 years and was previously the Country Director of Unilever Cambodia and Laos before coming home to the Philippines to take on the role of Unilever Philippines Vice President for Customer Development and member of the Unilever Philippines National Board. Fredy Ong will remain as Head of Unilever Philippines Customer Development concurrent to his role as Chairman and CEO.

World-class talent hub for Unilever

Benjie Yap, former Unilever Beauty & Wellbeing General Manager for Southeast Asia and Chairman and CEO for Philippines, has been appointed as the Head of Country of Unilever Indonesia, concurrent to his role as General Manager of its Home Care business in Indonesia. Unilever Indonesia is one of the top publicly listed companies in Indonesia and Unilever’s biggest business in Southeast Asia.

“I will always be proud to be part of a company that invests in its people, allowing us to make meaningful impact even beyond the workplace. As I have been entrusted to lead another Unilever business, I take with me the values of ‘Malasakit’ and ‘Sama-sama, Tulong-Tulong’ that have guided me throughout my career journey,” shared Benjie Yap.

Under Yap’s leadership, the Company invested in two factories that contributed to the market’s increased production capacity and countryside development. Over the last two years, Unilever Philippines has been one of the fastest growing countries within Unilever.

It is estimated that almost a hundred Philippines talents are deployed to other Unilever markets, many of whom also hold leadership roles.

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