Unilever Picks Netherlands Over U.K. as Base in Blow to May
- Marmite maker to keep beauty, home divisions in London
- Move is aimed at simplifying structure after Kraft Heinz bid
Unilever Divorces the U.K.
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Unilever is consolidating its headquarters in the Netherlands, abandoning a separate London base in a blow to Prime Minister Theresa May’s effort to maintain investment in the U.K. after it leaves the European Union.
The maker of quintessentially British brands like Marmite spread and Lipton tea is streamlining the dual nationality it has maintained for nearly a century. Unilever said the move will ease mergers and acquisitions, which have become a priority for slow-growing consumer-goods giants as predators take aim.