Today, Unilever has announced a significant leadership change, with Hein Schumacher stepping down as CEO and Board Director, effective 1 March 2025, by mutual agreement.
According to Unilever, Schumacher, who will leave the company by 31 May 2025, has led Unilever through a transformative period, focusing on strategic resets and strong financial growth. Unilever Chairman Ian Meakins expressed gratitude for Schumacher’s leadership, emphasizing the solid financial progress made during 2024.
Fernando Fernandez, currently Unilever’s Chief Financial Officer, will succeed Schumacher as CEO starting 1 March 2025. Fernandez brings extensive experience to the role, having previously led Unilever’s Beauty & Wellbeing division, one of the company’s fastest-growing sectors. He also served as President of Latin America, CEO of Brazil, and CEO of the Philippines, delivering strong financial results and building exceptional teams in these regions. The Board is confident that Fernandez’s decisive, results-driven approach will accelerate the execution of the GAP and lead Unilever toward achieving its full potential.
Schumacher praised the progress made during his tenure, particularly in terms of strategy, portfolio reset, and leadership team development, expressing confidence in Unilever’s future. Fernandez, in turn, expressed his enthusiasm for the CEO role, emphasizing a focus on building a future-fit portfolio and driving excellence across the company’s top brands to generate substantial shareholder value.
Unilever has also announced the appointment of Srinivas Phatak as acting CFO, effective 1 March 2025, following a comprehensive search for a permanent CFO. Phatak, currently the Deputy CFO and Group Controller, brings significant leadership experience and will work closely with Fernandez to execute Unilever’s strategic priorities.
