Charles E Golden
Charles Golden was appointed a Non-Executive Director of Unilever in 2006. He is also a member of the Unilever’s Audit Committee.
Non-Executive Director
Originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana, Charles studied in Pennsylvania, graduating from Lafayette College in 1968 with a BA in economics. He went on to obtain an MBA at Lehigh University in 1970.
His career began with a position at the Treasurer’s Office of General Motors. Subsequently he moved widely within the company, holding positions related to domestic and international planning, operations and controllership. In 1989, he was appointed corporate treasurer at GM, before becoming chairman and chief executive officer of Vauxhall Ltd – GM’s UK operation.
Charles joined the board of Eli Lilly in 1996 as executive vice-president and chief financial officer. His next ten years were spent looking after IT, Finance, Procurement and the company’s Animal Health Group, as well as implementing a major Enterprise Resource Planning system.
Following his retirement from Eli Lilly in 2006, Charles now serves on a wide range of boards and panels: he is non-executive director of Lilly Endowment and serves on the board of directors of Clarian Health Partners, Hill-Rom Holdings Inc, Eaton Corporation and Lilly Endowment.
Charles serves on the board of trustees of Park Tudor School, the finance committee of the Indianapolis Museum of Art, and the board of the Indiana Stadium Authority.
Married with two children, Charles was recognised as the best chief financial officer in the pharmaceutical industry by Institutional Investor in 2006. The Governor of Indiana has also appointed him a Sagamore of the Wabash, the state’s highest honour for service to the community.
