July 17, 2025 3:54 pm

Unilever Appoints Fernando Fernandez as New CEO After Hein Schumacher Steps Down

CURRENT AFFAIRS: Unilever CEO Change 2025, Hein Schumacher Resignation, Fernando Fernandez CEO Appointment, Growth Action Plan GAP, Srinivas Phatak Acting CFO, Unilever Leadership Transition, Consumer Goods Sector Update, FMCG Executive Changes 2025

Unilever Appoints Fernando Fernandez as New CEO After Hein Schumacher Steps Down

Major Leadership Shift at Unilever

Unilever Appoints Fernando Fernandez as New CEO After Hein Schumacher Steps Down: In a significant move, Unilever announced on February 25, 2025, that its CEO Hein Schumacher will step down by March 2025, after just under two years in office. Schumacher, who took charge in July 2023, will formally exit the company on May 31, 2025. He will be succeeded by Fernando Fernandez, the company’s current Chief Financial Officer (CFO), marking a smooth internal transition at the top level of the global FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) giant.

Schumacher’s Leadership and Achievements

Under Schumacher’s leadership, Unilever launched the Growth Action Plan (GAP), which focused on improving performance, resetting strategy, and driving organizational productivity. He played a key role in separating Unilever’s ice cream division to streamline operations and enhance focus on core business areas. The company’s financial outlook for 2024 remained strong, and his efforts were publicly appreciated by Chairman Ian Meakins, who credited Schumacher with “reshaping the company’s strategy.”

Fernando Fernandez: From CFO to CEO

Fernando Fernandez, who became Unilever’s CFO in January 2024, will now take the helm as CEO. Fernandez has held senior leadership roles across multiple global markets, including as President of the Beauty & Wellbeing division and in Latin America, Brazil, and the Philippines. Known for his market performance and team-building skills, Fernandez is expected to bring operational expertise and global experience to the CEO role. His promotion highlights Unilever’s commitment to leadership continuity and internal talent development.

New Acting CFO Appointed

With Fernandez moving up, Srinivas Phatak, currently deputy CFO and group controller, will take over as Acting CFO. Phatak’s appointment ensures leadership continuity in Unilever’s finance team, especially as the company enters a new strategic phase under Fernandez.

Static GK Snapshot

Topic Fact
Outgoing CEO Hein Schumacher
Incoming CEO Fernando Fernandez (Current CFO)
Date of Leadership Announcement February 25, 2025
Full Exit of Schumacher By May 31, 2025
Major Initiatives Growth Action Plan (GAP), Ice Cream Division Separation
Incoming Acting CFO Srinivas Phatak
Key Praise Chairman Ian Meakins praised Schumacher’s strategic reset
Sector Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG)
Unilever Appoints Fernando Fernandez as New CEO After Hein Schumacher Steps Down
  1. Hein Schumacher, CEO of Unilever, will step down by May 31, 2025.
  2. He served as CEO for less than two years, beginning in July 2023.
  3. The new CEO will be Fernando Fernandez, Unilever’s current Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
  4. The announcement of leadership change was made on February 25, 2025.
  5. Under Schumacher, Unilever launched the Growth Action Plan (GAP) to enhance strategy and performance.
  6. Schumacher oversaw the separation of the ice cream division to refocus on core operations.
  7. Chairman Ian Meakins praised Schumacher for reshaping Unilever’s strategic direction.
  8. Fernando Fernandez became CFO in January 2024 and is now promoted to CEO.
  9. Fernandez has led major roles in Latin America, Brazil, the Philippines, and Beauty & Wellbeing division.
  10. His promotion signals leadership continuity and internal talent development at Unilever.
  11. Srinivas Phatak, currently Deputy CFO, will become Acting CFO after Fernandez’s transition.
  12. Fernandez is known for his operational expertise and team-building capabilities.
  13. The company operates in the FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods)
  14. The transition is seen as an internal and stable leadership shift.
  15. Unilever’s financial outlook for 2024 was strong during Schumacher’s tenure.
  16. The Growth Action Plan (GAP) focused on organizational productivity and strategy reset.
  17. Unilever’s board publicly appreciated Schumacher’s contributions to business realignment.
  18. The leadership shift occurs amid a strategic restructuring phase at Unilever.
  19. The internal promotion reflects Unilever’s emphasis on succession planning.
  20. The change impacts global FMCG leadership trends and corporate governance practices.

Q1. Who will succeed Hein Schumacher as Unilever’s CEO in 2025?


Q2. What major initiative did Schumacher launch during his tenure?


Q3. Which division did Schumacher separate to streamline Unilever’s business?


Q4. When will Hein Schumacher officially exit Unilever?


Q5. Who has been appointed as Acting CFO following Fernandez’s promotion?


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