Kimberly-Clark Corporation has announced the appointment of Robert Long as Chief Research and Development Officer, effective March 15, 2021. The role is a newly created one, part of the executive leadership suite, and has global responsibility for the company's research, development, innovation and quality functions.

Long has held R&D, innovation, and quality leadership roles within the consumer goods industry for over 40 years, spending his entire career with major multinationals. Prior to accepting the new role with Kimberly-Clark., he spent 17 years with The Coca-Cola Company and most recently served as Chief Innovation Officer and Senior Vice President, Global R&D, from 2016 to 2021, before retiring among last year's business reorganization. Before that, he headed research and development for various business units of Procter & Gamble, having spent a total of 25 years with the company and worked his way up through the ranks.

Mike Hsu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kimberly-Clark, said of Long's appointment: "Robert is a proven and highly-regarded leader whose experience will accelerate our growth through innovation that addresses the opportunities to elevate our brands and expand our markets. I am confident he will drive new levels of scale, value and overall organizational excellence while further raising our high expectations for product quality and performance."