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
Angel One Q4 profit surges 83 per cent to Rs 320cr
year net profit dips 22 per cent to Rs 915cr as revenue softens slightly to Rs 5,137cr.
MUMBAI: Angel One has just earned its wings in style delivering a blockbuster Q4 that proves the brokerage giant is still flying high even in a cautious market. Standalone revenue from operations for the three months ended 31 March 2026 rose sharply to Rs 1,459cr, up from Rs 1,056cr a year ago. Total income stood at Rs 1,467cr. After all expenses, profit before tax came in at Rs 440cr, while net profit for the quarter surged 83 per cent to Rs 320cr (versus Rs 175cr last year). Basic EPS stood at Rs 3.52 and diluted at Rs 3.44.
For the full year ended 31 March 2026, revenue from operations was Rs 5,137cr compared with Rs 5,238cr in FY25. Total income reached Rs 5,152cr. Profit before tax was Rs 1,272cr, and net profit came in at Rs 915cr (down from Rs 1,172cr). Basic EPS was Rs 10.09 (from Rs 13.00) and diluted Rs 9.85 (from Rs 12.68).
Total comprehensive income for the quarter stood at Rs 321cr, while the full-year figure was Rs 913cr.
The strong quarterly performance reflects robust growth in interest income (Rs 455cr) and fees & commission (Rs 1,000cr), even as the full-year numbers moderated amid a softer overall environment. Finance costs rose to Rs 134cr in Q4 (full year Rs 437cr), while employee benefits stood at Rs 244cr for the quarter (full year Rs 1,067cr).
In a year when many brokers felt the pinch of muted market activity, Angel One has delivered a sparkling Q4 that shows its core broking engine is firing on all cylinders. With the books now closed on FY26, the Mumbai-based player has once again demonstrated that consistent execution and a sharp focus on retail participation continue to pay rich dividends in India’s booming capital markets.
