Paul Polman, Unilever's Dutch chief executive, runs the multinational as an exemplar of sustainability and stakeholder capitalism rather than the pure shareholder variety, and the abortive bid pitched two of Mr Buffett's instincts against each other.
The group, best known for an abortive bid for Starwood Hotels & Resorts this year, is founded on its insurance business — a model that reflects founder Wu Xiaohui's admiration for the investing style of Warren Buffett, the Berkshire Hathaway chairman.
