Newell Rubbermaid Inc. said on June 23 that it has appointed a Unilever executive as its new president and CEO, following a five-month search to replace Mark Ketchum.
Michael Polk, now president of global foods, home and personal care at Unilever, will take over from Mr. Ketchum on July 18.
Mr. Ketchum, 61, was appointed CEO in 2005 and announced in January his intention to retire after being recruited from the board to lead Newell Rubbermaid through its transformation in a marketing-driven company.
Mr. Polk, 50, has been a member of Newell Rubbermaid’s board of directors since 2009 and is a member of its audit committee. He also is on the board of the Grocery Manufacturers of America and is the vice chairman and member of the board of the Students in Free Enterprise.
While at Unilever, Mr. Polk has been responsible for the development, innovation and marketing of Unilever’s $64 billion portfolio of categories and brands.
For more information, call David Doolittle, vice president, corporate communications, at (770) 418-7519.