Unilever CLO Maria Varsellona Joins Rolls-Royce As Chief Legal Officer
Unilever CLO Maria Varsellona appointed Chief Legal Officer of Rolls-Royce effective March 1, 2026, succeeding Mark Gregory.
Unilever CLO Maria Varsellona Joins Rolls-Royce as Chief Legal Officer
Maria Varsellona, Chief Legal Officer of Unilever, is set to step down from her role to assume the position of Chief Legal Officer at Rolls-Royce, effective March 1, 2026. She will succeed Mark Gregory, who has served as General Counsel of the aerospace major for the past decade and has been associated with the company for over 20 years.
Gregory will remain with Rolls-Royce until the end of March 2026 to ensure a smooth and seamless leadership transition.
At Unilever, Varsellona will be succeeded by Prakash Kakkad, currently serving as General Counsel Corporate and Deputy Group Secretary. His promotion to Chief Legal Officer and Group Company Secretary will also take effect from March 1, 2026.
A Distinguished Global Legal Career
Varsellona joined Unilever in 2022 and has since played a pivotal role in steering the company through several strategic transformations. Most notably, she supported Unilever’s USD 9.2 billion spin-off of the Magnum Ice Cream Company, one of the largest and most complex corporate restructurings undertaken by the group in recent years.
Prior to Unilever, she served as General Counsel at ABB, the Swiss engineering conglomerate, where she supported the organization’s transition to a decentralized operating model. She also held senior leadership roles at Nokia, serving as Chief Legal Officer and President of Nokia Technologies, where she oversaw a highly valuable patent portfolio and helped transform intellectual property into a major profit center for the business.
Her earlier career includes senior legal positions at Tetra Pak, GE Oil & Gas, and Hertz, giving her extensive cross-sector and international experience.
Joining Rolls-Royce at a Transformative Time
Varsellona’s appointment comes at a crucial phase for Rolls-Royce, which is undergoing a significant operational and financial turnaround under CEO Tufan Erginbilgic. The company has reported strong recent momentum, including securing 142 engine orders at the Paris Air Show, alongside an ongoing strategic restructuring program.
Her expertise in corporate transformation, governance, and high-stakes strategic transactions is expected to be instrumental as Rolls-Royce continues to execute its long-term growth strategy.
Maria Varsellona on Her Transition
Reflecting on her decision, Varsellona said:
“After four wonderful years at Unilever, I have decided to step down as Chief Legal Officer at the end of February. It has been a true privilege to support Unilever’s transformation and to work alongside such exceptional colleagues. I am proud of what we have achieved together within the Legal team. Thank you all for an extraordinary journey. I will carry deep appreciation for our time together.”
She added:
“I have recently found a new source of great inspiration and excitement: On 1st March I will be joining Rolls-Royce as Chief Legal Officer. It is an iconic company with a remarkable record of excellence, and I look forward to this next chapter and to collaborating with my new colleagues.”
Academic and Professional Credentials
Varsellona holds a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from the University of Palermo, Italy (1994). She was admitted to practice as a lawyer in Italy in 1996 and later qualified as a Solicitor in England & Wales in 2000. She has also lectured on international contract law at the University of Florence, reflecting her strong academic foundation.
Core Areas of Expertise
Maria Varsellona is widely recognized for her ability to lead global legal functions through complex transformations. Her key strengths include:
- • Strategic Transactions & M&A: Proven track record in managing high-value mergers, acquisitions, and corporate restructurings
- • Intellectual Property Strategy: Extensive experience in leveraging IP as a commercial and strategic asset
- • Legal Transformation & Technology: Pioneered the establishment of Unilever’s global “Legal Powerhouses,” integrating Generative AI and digital tools
- • Corporate Governance & Compliance: Deep expertise in ethics, integrity frameworks, and board-level advisory
- • International Contract Law: Strong academic and practical background in cross-border legal matters
With her appointment, Rolls-Royce secures a globally respected legal leader at a pivotal moment in its corporate journey, while Unilever ensures leadership continuity with the elevation of Prakash Kakkad.
Rolls-Royce Holdings plc is an iconic British engineering giant headquartered in London. Founded in 1906, the company is now a global leader in complex power and propulsion systems used in the air, at sea, and on land.
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