Hein Schumacher ousted as Unilever CEO, Fernando Fernandez to take over

Hein Schumacher steps down as CEO and as a board director on 1 March 2025. Source: www.unilever.com

Fernando Fernandez, currently Unilever chief financial officer and executive director, will be appointed chief executive officer effective from 1 March 2025.

Prior to becoming CFO in January 2024, Fernandez had a successful tenure as president of beauty and wellbeing, one of Unilever’s fastest growing businesses.

In previous roles as president Latin America, CEO Brazil and CEO Philippines he led some of the company’s best performing markets, delivering strong financial results while developing exceptional talent.

Fernando Fernandez to succeed Hein Schumacher as CEO. Source: www.unilever.com

Unilever chairman Ian Meakins said: “On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Hein for resetting Unilever’s strategy, for the focus and discipline he has brought to the company and for the solid financial progress delivered during 2024. Hein introduced and led a significant productivity programme and the commencement of the Ice Cream separation, both of which are fully on track. The Growth Action Plan (GAP) has put Unilever on a path to higher performance and the Board is committed to accelerating its execution. We are grateful for Hein’s leadership, and we wish him the very best for the future.”

Speaking of Fernando’s appointment as CEO, Ian Meakins said: “The board has been impressed with Fernando’s decisive and results-oriented approach and his ability to drive change at speed. He partnered in the development of the GAP and in driving the productivity programme. He has a strong track record of performance and portfolio management, a love of brands and a profound knowledge of Unilever’s operations.

“While the board is pleased with Unilever’s performance in 2024, there is much further to go to deliver best-in-class results. Having worked with Fernando closely over the last 14 months, the Board is very confident in his ability to lead a high performing management team, realise the benefits of the GAP with urgency, and deliver the shareholder value that the company’s potential demands.”

Hein Schumacher said: “It has been a privilege to lead Unilever. We have made real progress and I am proud of what we have achieved in a short period of time. With a clear strategy, a portfolio reset in motion and a strong leadership team in place, I look forward to seeing Unilever move from strength to strength in the future.”

Fernando Fernandez said: "Being appointed as CEO of Unilever is an honour. Our focus will be on building a future-fit portfolio with an attractive growth footprint and delivering unmatched functional and perceivable superiority across our top 30 power brands. I have full confidence in our team's ability to propel Unilever to a global industry-leading position and create substantial value for our shareholders. I would like to thank Hein for his values-led leadership and the performance focus he has brought to the business. I wish him every success for the future."

A thorough internal and external search process is being initiated to appoint a permanent CFO. From 1 March 2025, Srinivas Phatak, currently Unilever’s deputy chief financial officer and group controller, will become acting CFO.

Srinivas has served in global and local senior finance, strategy and supply chain roles including a successful term as CFO of Hindustan Unilever Limited. Srinivas’ leadership qualities and his broad experience will enable him to partner Fernando in successfully executing Unilever’s strategy.

There is no change to Unilever’s 2025 outlook or the company’s medium-term guidance.