Karen Hamilton

Karen brings over 30 years’ leadership experience in sustainability, innovation and business, most recently as Unilever’s Global VP Sustainability.  She is passionate about helping leaders integrate sustainability into strategy and culture to drive change. 

Karen spearheaded the creation of Unilever’s ground-breaking Sustainable Living Plan and was responsible for ensuring progress against its 50+ goals spanning health, nutrition, climate, nature and livelihoods.  She convinced senior leadership of the business case for sustainability, driving growth and trust while reducing risk and cost, and engaged with thought leaders worldwide on social and environmental issues to refresh the company’s sustainability strategy.  She has published guides on consumer behaviour change, Unilever’s Five Levers for Change, and purposeful brands, Making Purpose Pay.  

In particular, Karen was responsible for embedding sustainability as ‘the way we do things around here’ across functions and markets. 

During her time at Unilever the company moved to 67% sustainably sourced agricultural materials and 100% renewable electricity while its ‘sustainable living brands’ grew twice as fast as the rest of the portfolio.

Karen has served as a General Assembly member of the Eco Beauty Score Consortium, Board member of The Sustainability Consortium and Chair of the Pukka Herbs Mission Council. After leaving Unilever in 2023, she is now pursuing a portfolio career.