Unilever’s Chief Executive, Hein Schumacher, Steps Down; Fernando Fernandez Set to Succeed as CEO
In a significant leadership transition, Hein Schumacher has announced his decision to step down as Chief Executive Officer of Unilever. As per a mutual agreement, Schumacher’s tenure will officially conclude on March 1, 2025. His involvement with the company will further wrap up on May 31, 2025, marking the end of an important chapter in Unilever’s journey.
Fernando Fernandez, who currently serves as Unilever’s Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director, will take the helm as CEO starting on March 1, 2025. Fernandez has extensive experience within the company; prior to his role as CFO, he was the president of the Beauty & Wellbeing segment. His leadership history includes remarkable roles as CEO of Brazil and the Philippines, as well as president of Unilever Latin America. In these positions, he successfully led some of the company’s highest-performing markets, achieving “strong financial results while developing exceptional talent.”
Speaking on behalf of the board, Unilever Chairman Ian Meakins expressed gratitude towards Hein Schumacher, stating, “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.” Furthermore, Meakins highlighted Schumacher’s implementation of a significant productivity program and the initiation of the Ice Cream separation, both of which are progressing well. Meakins declared that the Growth Action Plan (GAP) has positioned Unilever on a trajectory for enhanced performance, and the board remains dedicated to accelerating its execution.
Regarding Fernandez’s forthcoming appointment as CEO, Meakins noted, “The board has been impressed with Fernando’s decisive and results-oriented approach and his ability to drive change at speed.” He acknowledged Fernandez’s collaboration with the board in developing the GAP and driving the productivity program. With a strong track record in performance and portfolio management, paired with a love for brands and deep operational knowledge of Unilever, Fernandez stands poised to lead the company into its next phase.
Meakins further emphasized the journey ahead, stating, “While the board is pleased with Unilever’s performance in 2024, there is much further to go to deliver best-in-class results.” Over the past 14 months, the board has closely partnered with Fernandez, fostering confidence in his capability to lead a high-performing management team. This includes realizing the benefits of the GAP with urgency and delivering the shareholder value that Unilever’s potential demands.
Reflecting on his tenure, outgoing CEO Hein Schumacher remarked, “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.” He also conveyed optimism for the future, stating that with a clear strategy, a portfolio reset in motion, and a strong leadership team in place, he looks forward to witnessing Unilever continue its growth trajectory.
In response to his upcoming role, Fernando Fernandez shared, “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.” He concluded with confidence in his team’s ability to elevate Unilever to a globally leading position that creates substantial value for shareholders. Additionally, he expressed gratitude towards Schumacher for his values-led leadership and for the performance focus he instilled in the organization, wishing him every success in future endeavors.