Rebecca Marmot

Rebecca Marmot is one of the world’s leading voices on sustainability, corporate responsibility and systems change. Best known for her leadership in embedding sustainability into global business strategy at Unilever, Rebecca has spent her career helping organisations navigate some of the most significant environmental and social challenges of our time. Recognised as one of the most influential women in sustainability, she was ranked number eight in the global Top 250 Women in Sustainability in 2025. Throughout her career she has worked at the intersection of business, government and international policy, helping shape collaborative approaches to sustainable development, climate action and social impact. Her ability to translate complex global challenges into practical business solutions, combined with her experience influencing international agendas, makes her a highly sought after keynote speaker for corporate, government and industry audiences around the world.

Rebecca’s career began in consultancy with Bell Pottinger, where she developed expertise in public affairs and stakeholder engagement. She later joined the UK Government’s Department of Trade and Industry as External Affairs Manager, helping manage public policy for the landmark Broadband Britain campaign. From there she moved to L’Oréal, serving as Global External Affairs Director and gaining extensive experience in corporate communications and international affairs. In 2007 she joined Unilever as Global Vice President of Sustainability, Advocacy and Policy, where she became a driving force behind the company’s sustainability ambitions. She launched the Unilever Foundation in 2012 and played a pivotal role in shaping Unilever’s collaborative framework during the adoption of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement. Rebecca was appointed Chief Sustainability Officer in 2019 before becoming Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer in 2024. Alongside her corporate leadership, she chaired public private funding frameworks at the UN Water Conference in 2023, helping advance international cooperation on water security and sustainable development.

Rebecca’s expertise has earned her recognition across the global sustainability community. Her work has positioned her as a respected commentator on responsible business, climate action, social impact and corporate transformation. She is regularly invited to contribute to international forums, leadership summits and industry conferences, where her insights on sustainability strategy, stakeholder engagement and systems change are valued by business leaders, policymakers and investors alike. Her involvement in major international initiatives has given her a unique perspective on how organisations can deliver both commercial success and positive societal impact.

What makes Rebecca an exceptional keynote speaker is the breadth of her experience across government, global brands, and international institutions. Few speakers can combine frontline leadership of one of the world’s largest corporate sustainability programmes with direct involvement in landmark global frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement. Audiences benefit from practical lessons on leadership, transformation, sustainability strategy, stakeholder engagement, and long-term value creation. Rebecca brings credibility, real-world experience, and an optimistic yet pragmatic outlook, equipping audiences with actionable insights for navigating an increasingly complex business and sustainability landscape.

Here are some of the key milestones that define Rebecca Marmot’s remarkable career:

  • 2025 – Ranked at #8 in the global Top 250 Women in Sustainability
  • 2024 – Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer at Unilever
  • 2023 – Chaired public-private funding frameworks at the UN 2023 Water Conference  
  • 2019 – Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO)of Unilever’s
  • 2015 – Played a pivotal role in shaping Unilever’s collaborative framework during the adoption of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement.
  • 2012 – Launched the Unilever Foundation
  • 2007 – Global Vice President of Sustainability, Advocacy & Policy
  • 2004 – Appointed as the Global External Affairs Director at L’Oréal
  • 2003 – External Affairs Manager at the UK Government’s Department of Trade and Industry & managed public policy for the landmark Broadband Britain campaign
  • 1998 – Consultant with Bell Pottinger