Unilever Chief Executive Officer, Hein Schumacher, has announced his decision to step down from his role.
This announcement comes less than two years after Hein took the helm of the global consumer goods giant.
The company has named Fernando Fernandez, the current Chief Financial Officer, as Hein’s successor.
This leadership change is set to take effect on March 1, 2025, with Schumacher officially leaving the company on May 31, 2025.
Unilever CEO Transition: Details
The announcement was made on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, and has since garnered significant attention from industry analysts and stakeholders.
Hein’s departure comes just weeks after Unilever reported underwhelming full-year earnings.
The company also made the strategic decision to list its ice cream business primarily in Amsterdam, rather than London or New York.
Hein Schumacher joined Unilever as CEO in July 2023, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a clear vision for the company’s future.
During his tenure, Hein reset Unilever’s strategy to address years of underperformance.
He introduced cost-cutting measures, including the separation of the ice cream division and the reduction of thousands of jobs.
Hein’s leadership was marked by a focus on productivity and efficiency, which he believed were essential for Unilever’s long-term success.
One of Hein’s notable achievements was the introduction of the Growth Action Plan (GAP), which aimed to put Unilever on a path to higher performance.
The GAP included significant productivity programs and the commencement of the ice cream separation, both of which are fully on track.
Despite the challenges faced during his tenure, Hein’s efforts have laid a solid foundation for Unilever’s future growth.
Fernando Fernandez: The Successor
Fernando Fernandez, who has been with Unilever since January 2024, will take over as CEO on March 1, 2025.
He has a strong track record within the company.
He has previously served as President of Beauty & Wellbeing, President of Latin America, CEO of Brazil, and CEO of the Philippines.
His decisive and results-oriented approach has impressed the Unilever Board. He has been instrumental in driving the productivity program and the development of the GAP.
Unilever’s Chairman, Ian Meakins, expressed his gratitude to Hein Schumacher for his leadership and the progress made during his tenure.
Ian emphasized the Board’s commitment to further accelerating the Growth Action Plan and building Unilever into a global industry leader.
He also expressed confidence in Fernandez’s ability to lead the company and deliver the shareholder value that Unilever’s potential demands.
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