2011 - Niall FitzGerald, KBE

Niall FitzGerald with Louis and Barbara Perlmutter, Fred Lawrence, and Bruce Magid in October, 2011

The second reciepient of the Perlmutter Award for Excellence in Global Business Leadership is Niall FitzGerald, KBE, former Chairman and CEO of Unilever and Deputy Chairman of  Thomson Reuters. FitzGerald accepted the award at a ceremony and talk at Brandeis IBS on October 31, 2011.

Niall FitzGerald, KBE

Niall FitzGerald was, until the end of May 2011, the Deputy Chairman of Thomson Reuters, following the creation of the new company in April 2008. Prior ot this he was the Chairman of Reuters from October 2004, having spent over thirty years with Unilever in a variety of commericial and financial positions in several countries.

Mr. FitzGerald joined the Boards of Unilever PLC an dUnilever NV in 1987 and served resepectively as finance Director, Foods Director and Detergents Director until his appointment as Chairman and CEO in 1996. He continued in this role until retiring in September 2004. During his Unilever career, he worked and lived in Ireland, the Netherlands, South Africa, the U.S. and the U.K.

Niakk FitzGerald holds a number of leadership positions in prominent companies and non-profit organizations. IN NOvember 2008 he was appointed Chariman of Hakluyt & Co. Ltd and became Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the British Museum in 2006. He is a member of the Foundation Board of the World Economic Forum and of the Adivosry Board of Spencer Stuart. He is a Trustee of the Leverhulme Trust and a Senior Advisor to Allen and Company.

Mr. FitzGerald was anmed an honorary Knight Commander of the British Empire in 2002. He holds a number of Honorary Doctorates from American, British, and Irish Universities.