Brands
Unilever’s Schumacher to step down as CEO, Fernandez appointed successor
MUMBAI: Unilever today announced that Hein Schumacher will step down as chief executive officer and board director on 1 March 2025 by mutual agreement, and will leave the company on 31 May 2025.
Fernando Fernandez, currently Unilever chief financial officer and executive director, will be appointed chief executive officer effective from 1 March 2025. Prior to becoming CFO in January 2024, Fernandez had a successful tenure as president of beauty & wellbeing, one of Unilever’s fastest growing businesses.
Unilever chairman Ian Meakins thanked Schumacher 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.” He noted that Schumacher introduced and led a significant productivity programme and commenced the ice cream separation, both of which are fully on track.
Speaking of Fernandez’s appointment, Meakins said: “The board has been impressed with Fernando’s decisive and results-oriented approach and his ability to drive change at speed. He has a strong track record of performance and portfolio management, a love of brands and a profound knowledge of Unilever’s operations.”
Schumacher called his time leading Unilever “a privilege” and said he was proud of what they had achieved in a short period of time.
Fernandez commented: “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.”
A thorough internal and external search process is being initiated to appoint a permanent CFO. From 1 March 2025, Srinivas Phatak, currently Unilever’s deputy chief financial officer and group controller, will become acting CFO.
Unilever confirmed there is no change to its 2025 outlook or medium-term guidance.
Brands
Safex Group appoints Richa Malhotra as group chief financial officer
Former Standard Chartered executive to steer finance
NEW DELHI: Safex Chemicals has appointed Richa Malhotra as group chief financial officer, strengthening its leadership team as the company prepares for the next phase of expansion in specialty chemicals and global agrochemicals.
In her new role, Malhotra will lead the group’s financial strategy, capital architecture and governance framework as Safex scales operations across multiple verticals including branded formulations, specialty chemicals and contract manufacturing.
A chartered accountant and graduate of Shri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi, Malhotra brings more than two decades of experience in business finance, strategic planning, corporate banking and client management.
Before joining Safex, she served as executive director, financial markets at Standard Chartered, where she led teams across India and Sri Lanka and worked closely with large corporates, global subsidiaries and commercial banking clients. Her expertise includes capital structuring, treasury operations, risk management and financial markets led financing solutions.
Safex Group promoter director and joint managing director Piyush Jindal, said the appointment comes at a pivotal time for the company. “Safex stands at an inflection point as we build an integrated platform across branded formulations, specialty chemicals and contract manufacturing. Richa’s experience across global financial institutions will strengthen our financial discipline and help unlock value across the group,” he said.
Malhotra said she was looking forward to contributing to the company’s next chapter of growth. “Safex has built a strong reputation over 35 years with its focus on integrity, innovation and agricultural insight. I am excited to be part of the organisation as it expands its footprint in India and global markets,” she said.
The appointment comes as Safex continues to strengthen its financial foundations and scale operations internationally, positioning itself for future growth milestones.
