Unilever's plan to end dual HQ structure approved by Dutch shareholders

The company has operated a hybrid structure with two bases in London and Rotterdam for 90 years

Unilever's Dutch headquarters in Rotterdam. The Anglo-Dutch company gained approval from Dutch shareholders for a plan to unify its corporate structure in London. UK shareholders will vote on the deal on October 12. ReutersShow less

Unilever's Dutch shareholders approved plans to end the Anglo-Dutch company's dual-headed corporate structure and form a London-based entity, which it says will make dealmaking simpler.

The proposal was passed with 99.39 per cent of shares voted, the maker of Dove soap, Surf detergent and Ben & Jerry's ice cream said during an online extraordinary shareholder meeting on Monday in the Netherlands.

Unilever wants to unify on November 22, ending 90 years as a hybrid since Britain's soap-making Lever Brothers merged with Margarine Unie in the Netherlands.

To go ahead the plan must also be approved by investors in Britain's Unilever, who are due to vote on October 12.

Unilever says its dual structure hampers its ability to conduct acquisitions and disposals quickly, such as the planned sale of its €3 billion (Dh12.9bn) per year tea business.

Such flexibility is key to Unilever's ambition to shift from slow-growing categories into higher-growth areas like premium beauty. Unilever said this will be become even more important as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Unification will put us on a level playing field with other companies and ensure that we are best positioned for future success," chief financial officer Graeme Pitkethly said.

Unilever began its push to restructure under previous management after a failed $143bn (Dh525bn) takeover approach by Kraft Heinz in 2017.

Tax and political considerations thwarted its first attempt to unify in Rotterdam in 2018, with concerns about a 15 per cent Dutch dividend withholding tax and forced selling by some UK shareholders once Unilever was dropped from Britain's FTSE 100 index. The current plan will see Unilever shares included in the Dutch AEX.

Britain's departure from the European Union gives some extra urgency, as a delay beyond this year could mean additional scrutiny from EU and British regulators.

Chief executive Alan Jope said Unilever would press on despite a proposal from a Dutch opposition party to impose an "exit tax" if it quits the Netherlands.

Mr Jope repeated that the tax proposal, which could cost it up to €11bn, is at an early stage and Unilever believes it would violate international law.

However, he said Unilever could always cancel the merger up to the moment of a high court approval hearing if the law was passed. Unilever says such a tax would be a reason to stop the unification.

Unilever shares were down 2.3 per cent just ahead of the Amsterdam market's close on Monday.