Unilever sets up global leadership centre in Singapore

With half of its current turnover coming from emerging markets, Unilever is setting up a global leadership centre in Singapore to attract and train leaders to grow its regional operations.

Called Four Acres Singapore, the centre is expected to open its doors in mid 2012. This is the company’s second facility after its Four Acres leadership centre in London.

Paul Polman, chief executive of Unilever, said that over the next ten years, the company intends to double its turnover from 40 billion euros (US$53 billion) to 80 billion euros (US$106 billion) while reducing its environmental footprint. To achieve this, Polman said, talented leaders are needed. 

Unilever is expected to invest up to 45 million euros (US$60 million) in the centre, which will be housed at LINK@Nepal Hill in Buona Vista. The company will also make ongoing investments to ensure that training and development standards remain high.

Singapore is currently Unilever’s headquarters for Asia, East and Central Europe, Africa and the Middle East, regions which account for a high proportion of Unilever’s global growth.

Unilever’s announcement of the establishment of its Global Leadership Centre comes three months after P&G launched its Asia Leadership Development Centre in Singapore, in September.