Colgate-Palmolive announces leadership changes

Colgate-Palmolive has announced a number of changes to the composition of its board and leadership team.

Nikesh Arora, senior vice-president and chief business officer of technology giant Google, has been appointed to the dental company's board of directors, a role he will assume on March 15th 2012.

He will bring extensive international leadership experience and a good knowledge of finance and information technology to the company, with his previous employers including T-Mobile and Fidelity Investments.

Meanwhile, Fabian Garcia is assuming responsibility for the company's Hill's Pet Nutrition division, while Franck Moison will take charge of Colgate operations in the South Pacific region.

According to its most recent financial statement, Colgate-Palmolive generated worldwide net sales of $16.73 billion (10.67 billion pounds) last year, up by 7.5 percent annually.

The company's positive business outlook has led to a seven percent dividend increase for the second quarter of 2012, continuing the uninterrupted dividends paid on Colgate's common stock since 1895.