91´óÉñ

Appointed as CEO of Unilever in January 2019, Alan has been with the company since 1985. He joined the company's graduate trainee programme straight out of his time at the University of Edinburgh and has worked his way up through the company over the last 35 years with roles across the globe.

How does it feel to be selected for the Alumni 100 list?

"A surprise and a huge privilege and honour...really!"

What made you choose to study at the University of Edinburgh Business School?

"I wanted to study far from my family home in Glasgow...and Edinburgh was on the complete opposite side of the country. That is a true answer and shows how much my geographical perspective has changed over the years!"

What are your memories of studying at the Business School?

"A fantastic balance of great context (the city), great content (curriculum), and great characters (faculty)."

What's the one thing you think current students need to develop or learn before entering the modern workplace?

"Humility...you will rarely have a better solution than any team you lead."

What key thing that you learnt at the Business School do you still rely on today?

"Believe it or not, it is the principles of marketing (which I loved) and accounting (which I hated)."

Proudest work-related achievement to date?

"Modest success working in dozens of different cultures and living in six different countries."