Unilever Chief Executive Officer Hein Schumacher to step down

UK – Unilever, a British multinational Fast-Moving Consumer Goods Company, has announced that Hein Schumacher will, by mutual agreement, step down as Chief Executive Officer and Board Director on 1 March 2025 and leave the company on 31 May 2025.

Hein Schumacher served as the previous CEO of the Dutch dairy cooperative FrieslandCampina from 2018 until 2023, where he became CEO of Unilever.

He 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.”

Ian Meakins, Unilever Chairman, said that, on behalf of the Board, he wanted to thank Hein for resetting Unilever’s strategy, the focus and discipline he had brought to the company, and the solid financial progress achieved in 2024.

He stated that Hein had introduced and led a significant productivity program and the commencement of the Ice Cream separation, both of which were entirely on track.

Fernando Fernandez, currently Unilever Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director, has been promoted to Chief Executive Officer effective 1 March 2025.

Before becoming CFO in January 2024, Fernando had a successful tenure as President of Beauty & Wellbeing, one of Unilever’s fastest-growing businesses.

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.”

Speaking about Fernando’s appointment as CEO, Ian Meakins said that the Board had been impressed with Fernando’s decisive and results-oriented approach and his ability to drive change quickly.

He stated that Fernando had partnered in developing the GAP and driving the productivity program. He also noted that Fernando had a strong track record of performance and portfolio management, a passion for brands, and a deep knowledge of Unilever’s operations.

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