Unilever has announced the appointment of Ben Lang’at as the new Executive Vice President and Head of the newly combined East and West Africa region, effective January 2024.
In this new role, Lang’at will be responsible for leading regional business operations, combining his wealth of experience and strategic leadership.
Lang’at joins Unilever from Friesland Campina where he was Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa. With an extensive background in the consumer goods industry, he is no stranger to Unilever, having started his career at Unilever Tea Kenya in 1993. Over the years, he has held various key positions at Unilever, including CFO roles in Kenya and Ghana. as well as leadership positions at the Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company in Nigeria.
“We are thrilled to welcome Ben Lang’at back to the Unilever family,” said Jaime Aguilera, Managing Director of Unilever Africa, Caribbean and Central America. “His deep understanding of the African market and commitment to creating sustainable business models aligns perfectly with Unilever’s values and strategic goals.”
Lang’at’s return to Unilever marks a homecoming for the Kenyan executive, demonstrating his strong connection to the company and its mission. All heads of state in the regions of Nigeria, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Francophone Africa and Uganda will report directly to him. As EVP for the newly combined East and West Africa region, Ben Lang’at will be based in Lagos, where he currently resides.
“I am excited to be rejoining Unilever, a company I started my career with and have always respected. My focus will be on driving sustainable growth, driving innovation and building resilient businesses with strong brands in both East and West Africa,” Lang’at commented on his appointment.
Passionate about building sustainable business models and future-proof talent, Ben Lang’at is expected to bring his expertise to the Unilever family. Focusing on resilience and strong brand building, his leadership aims to further consolidate Unilever’s presence and growth in both East and West Africa.