Hein Schumacher Speaks out on Leaving Role as Unilever CEO

Hein Schumacher has stood by his "record and approach" at Unilever following the announcement of his departure as CEO.

While describing his tenure at Unilever as "too short," Hein conveyed a sense of pride in the progress made during his time with the FMCG leader, highlighting achievements including a "refocused sustainability agenda" and "decisive shift to digital and social-first marketing and commerce". 

Hein, who assumed the CEO role in July 2023, has been succeeded by Fernando Fernandez, who recently held the position of Chief Financial Officer. Hein is set to officially leave the company on 31 May.

"I have found my period as CEO inspiring and very rewarding," said Hein, writing on LinkedIn. "We have changed and achieved an incredible amount at Unilever in a short period of time: a strategy reset, a new structure, portfolio rebasing, productivity improvement, refocused sustainability agenda, initiated a cultural transformation, drove significantly improved results and made a decisive shift to digital and social-first marketing and commerce.

"Throughout this journey, I have strived to balance swift change, clear direction and strong business execution with a desire to move at the right pace for the company."

Hein Schumacher: Leading Unilever 'a privilege'

Last week, Ian Meakins, Chairman of Unilever, confirmed the leadership change and paid tribute to Hein for "resetting Unilever’s strategy," as well as for the "focus and discipline he has brought to the company."

Ian also took the opportunity to underscore the "solid financial progress" that Hein contributed to in 2024, marking a significant achievement during his tenure as CEO.

"Hein introduced and led a significant productivity programme and the commencement of the Ice Cream separation, both of which are fully on track," Ian continued. 

"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."

In his statement, Hein added: "I consider my time at Unilever too short. But I am proud of what we as a Unilever team have achieved. And I stand by my record and approach. It has certainly been a privilege to lead this phenomenal company and to work alongside so many talented and committed people.

"I wish everyone at Unilever the very best in driving the Growth Action Plan 2030 successfully and in taking the company from strength to strength in the years ahead."

Praise for Fernando Fernandez, Unilever's new CEO

Fernando Fernandez, who recently became Unilever’s CEO, took on the role of Chief Financial Officer in January 2024 after a successful stint as President of Beauty & Wellbeing – one of Unilever’s fastest-growing divisions.

Before this, he held leadership positions as President of Latin America, CEO of Brazil, and CEO of the Philippines. During his time at the helm of some of the company’s highest-performing markets, Fernando consistently delivered robust financial results and nurtured exceptional talent across various regions.

Ian noted that the Unilever board has been particularly impressed with Fernando’s "decisive and results-oriented approach and his ability to drive change at speed".

Paying tribute to his successor, Hein said: "I will transition my responsibilities starting tomorrow to Fernando, a great leader whom I have thoroughly enjoyed working alongside during my tenure as CEO.

"The goal of the leadership change is to accelerate the pace of our strategy execution and realise swift value creation."

Unilever previously confirmed that a search process, both internal and external, was under way to appoint a permanent CFO. In the interim, Srinivas Phatak, currently Deputy CFO and Group Controller, is acting CFO.

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