Unilever, one of the world’s largest consumer goods companies, has announced the appointment of Hein Schumacher as its new CEO. Schumacher, who previously served as the CEO of Unilever’s food and refreshment division, will replace outgoing CEO Alan Jope, who is stepping down after leading the company for over three years.
Schumacher brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role of CEO, having served in a variety of leadership positions at Unilever for over 20 years. During his tenure at the company, he has been instrumental in driving growth and innovation in the food and refreshment division, and has a deep understanding of the company’s operations, culture, and values.
Under Schumacher’s leadership, Unilever is expected to continue its focus on sustainability and purpose-driven growth, while also leveraging new technologies and business models to drive innovation and competitiveness in the marketplace. The company has set ambitious sustainability goals, including reducing its environmental impact and promoting social and economic progress, and Schumacher is expected to play a key role in delivering on these commitments.
The appointment of Schumacher as CEO comes at a time of significant change and disruption in the consumer goods industry, as companies seek to adapt to new consumer preferences and changing business models. Unilever has been at the forefront of these changes, investing in new technologies, such as e-commerce and digital marketing, and developing new products and services that meet the needs of a rapidly evolving market.
Hein is a business executive with a proven track record of success in various consumer products firms. As CEO of Royal FrieslandCampina, a €11 billion turnover company with operations in over 40 countries, he oversaw considerable portfolio and organisational change as part of the company’s transformation into a more focused, growth-driven, and sustainable enterprise.
Before joining Royal FrieslandCampina as CFO in 2014, Hein used to work for H.J. Heinz for nearly a decade in the US, Europe, and Asia, during a period of substantial transition at the firm. Hein began his financial career at Unilever before joining Royal Ahold NV.