In a strategic shift aimed at propelling growth and strengthening its market position, Unilever has announced that Fernando Fernandez will take over as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer, effective March 1, 2025. Fernandez succeeds Hein Schumacher, who is stepping down after two years at the helm.

Schumacher’s decision to vacate his role as CEO and board director comes after a period of significant transformation within the company. Following a mutual agreement with the board, he will officially leave Unilever by May 31, 2025. During his tenure, Schumacher led the company through a critical restructuring phase, overseeing the implementation of the Growth Action Plan (GAP), which was designed to reset Unilever’s strategy, enhance profitability, and drive long-term success.

Schumacher’s Legacy: A Strategic Reset

Reflecting on his time with the company, Hein Schumacher expressed pride in the strides Unilever made under his leadership. 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 said. During his tenure, Unilever began transitioning towards a more agile and high-performing business model, with a sharp focus on product innovation and margin recovery.

Chairman of Unilever, Ian Meakins, also praised Schumacher’s contributions, particularly his ability to bring discipline and focus to the organisation. “The Growth Action Plan has put Unilever on a path to higher performance, and the board is committed to accelerating its execution,” Meakins remarked.

Fernando Fernandez: The New Visionary Leader

As the new CEO, Fernandez is well-positioned to build on Schumacher’s efforts and take Unilever into its next growth phase. Currently the company’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Fernandez brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously led Unilever’s beauty and wellbeing division. This portfolio, which includes well-known brands such as Dermalogica, Minimalist, Paula’s Choice, and TikTok sensation Liquid IV, has been one of the company’s most dynamic and fastest-growing segments.

Before his CFO role, Fernandez held leadership positions in Unilever’s Latin American operations and served as CEO of Unilever Philippines, both of which have been standout markets for the company. His deep knowledge of Unilever’s global operations and market dynamics positions him as the ideal leader to steer the company through a challenging economic environment and reignite growth in key markets.

Growth and Innovation at the Forefront

Looking ahead, Fernandez’s leadership will centre around accelerating Unilever’s growth, particularly in the highly competitive fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and beauty sectors. With the company facing weaker-than-expected results in recent earnings reports, Fernandez will prioritise increasing investment in product innovation, expanding Unilever’s brand portfolio, and driving operational efficiencies across the business.

In Unilever’s FY24 earnings report, the company reported a 4% rise in Q4 revenue to €14.2 billion, along with a 4.2% increase in total 2024 sales to €60.8 billion. However, these results slightly missed forecasts, highlighting the challenges Fernandez will face as he works to reignite Unilever’s growth trajectory. His primary focus will be on boosting the performance of the company’s top 30 power brands, which are critical to its long-term success.

A New Era in Beauty and FMCG

With major beauty conglomerates like Estée Lauder, L’Oréal, and Coty ramping up competition, the pressure is on Fernandez to secure Unilever’s place as a global industry leader. The global beauty sector is navigating a slowdown, which means Fernandez’s vision for innovation and portfolio growth will be crucial to the company’s success.

“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,” Fernandez shared. His confidence in the company’s leadership team and the potential for growth is evident, as he works to set a clear direction for the future of Unilever.

Looking Ahead: Unilever’s Path to Industry Leadership

As Fernandez steps into his new role, all eyes will be on how he shapes the future of one of the world’s most iconic consumer goods companies. With a clear commitment to innovation, growth, and sustainability, his leadership will likely play a key role in driving Unilever’s success in the years to come. The company’s future is in capable hands, with Fernandez ready to build on the foundations laid by his predecessor and propel Unilever to even greater heights.

Writen By: Lydia Kelly

Published: 4th March 2025