Unilever CEO Paul Polman has told reporters he will use his impending visit to 10 Downing Street to voice his opinion over Brexit, asking the Prime Minister to give business more time to work towards the UK’s departure from the European Union.

Speaking during a Q2 results call, Polman suggested he would discuss with Theresa May how the private sector could have influence over the transition period in order to allow the smooth process of ‘ complex issues – such as border taxes, intellectual property, regulations or data protection’, according to the NY Times.

Polman said, “We will be talking about the possibility of a longer transition period.” He also stated it was becoming more realistic to expect a lengthy exit process for Britain.

With Unilever being a dual structure company, having headquarters, boards of directors and stock listings in the UK and Netherlands, Polman has a vested interest in the outcome of the departure.

He continued, “You can imagine from where I’m sitting, as a European but having my heart in the UK as well, that I have some concrete suggestions of what can be done there.
“There is no doubt that the quicker we can get some of the initial issues out of the way – like financial arrangements, citizens’ rights, the issue of Ireland – the quicker we can focus on the trade side and the trade relations side.”