Fernando had a successful tenure as President of Beauty & Wellbeing, one of Unilever’s fastest-growing businesses
Unilever announced that Hein Schumacher is stepping down as Chief Executive Officer and as a Board Director on 1 March 2025 by mutual agreement, and will leave the company on 31 May 2025.
Fernando Fernandez, currently Unilever’s Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director, will be appointed Chief Executive Officer effective from 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. In previous roles as President of Latin America, CEO of Brazil and CEO Philippines he led some of the company’s best-performing markets, delivering strong financial results while developing exceptional talent.
Unilever Chairman Ian Meakins said: “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. Hein introduced and led a significant productivity programme and the commencement of the Ice Cream separation, both of which are fully on track. 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.”
