EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS

FMCG giant Unilever names its new global chief executive officer

By our News Team | 2023

Hein Schumacher is a former Heinz executive and currently CEO of a Dutch-based global dairy and nutrition business. He takes over in July.

Unilever, the global FMCG giant that is home to more than 400 of the world’s best-selling brands, has confirmed the appointment of its new CEO.

He is Hein Schumacher, 51, a former Heinz and Unilever executive who is currently CEO of the Dutch-based global dairy and nutrition business, Royal FrieslandCampina.

Photo courtesy of Unilever

Schumacher will begin as Unilever CEO on 1 July 2023 after a one-month handover period. He replaces Alan Jope, who announced in September 2022 his intention to retire from Unilever after 37 years of service.

“Hein is a business leader with an excellent track record across multiple leading companies in the consumer goods industry,” Unilever says in a media statement.

“As CEO of Royal FrieslandCampina, an €11-billion (US$11.8-billion) turnover business operating in over 40 countries, he has delivered significant portfolio and organisation change as part of transforming it into a more focused, growth-driven and sustainable business.”

According to a report by news agency Reuters, Unilever had been considering internal and external candidates for the role. Sources told Reuters in October that the candidates included Unilever’s finance chief, Graeme Pitkethly, personal care division boss, Fabian Garcia, and Hanneke Faber, who heads the company’s nutrition group.

Prior to joining Royal FrieslandCampina as CFO in 2014, Schumacher worked for H.J. Heinz for over a decade – during a time of significant change at the company – across the US, Europe and Asia. In his last four years at Heinz he was based in China, where he led a turnaround of the Asia Pacific zone. He began his career in finance at Unilever,

“We are delighted to welcome Hein as our new Chief Executive after an extensive global search process,” said Unilever Chairman, Nils Andersen.

[He] is a dynamic, values-driven business leader who has a diverse background of experiences and an excellent track record of delivery in the global consumer goods industry. He has exceptional strategic capabilities, proven operational effectiveness, and strong experience in both developed and developing markets.

Schumacher will earn annual fixed pay of €1.85-million ($1.99-million) and be eligible to receive an annual bonus and shares based on performance.

Unilever’s brands include Sunlight, Omo, Knorr, Domestos, Dove, Hellmans, Vaseline, Liptons, Rexona, Pepsodent and Lifebuoy.

A passenger jet at a gate viewed from the nose with a sunset sky and dark clouds in the background

Airline body urges African governments to act on opening market access

‘Strategies don’t move people. Now it is time to make the difficult decisions and execute them,’ senior executive stresses.

Two hockey players battle for the puck along the boards during a game one in blue and one in white

Uganda Tourism Board partners with major European ice hockey league

UTB says its ambition is to turn the visibility into interest, bookings and more visitors choosing to explore Uganda.

Two young women sit together looking at a tablet one in an orange sweater holds a bottle while the other in a pink hoodie eyes the screen

Researchers explain why 10-second micro ads outperform longer spots

Short ads shown on TV increased website visits within five minutes of airing by 10-40% compared with longer advertisements.

Worker on a ladder painting the yellow storefront of a corner shop labeled supeco and label vie with shoppers and parked vehicles nearby

Competition continues to grow in the Moroccan supermarket sector

Supeco’s rapid expansion shows how the discount model is becoming a bigger part of grocery retail in the North African country.

Gold hotel toiletries sachets arranged on a marble bathroom counter including a vanity kit and shower gel beside a glass

Study identifies harmful paradox behind well-meaning green efforts

Consumers reward visible eco-friendly additions such as reusable bottles, but give little credit to businesses that reduce or remove products.

Medical professional in a white coat and pink hairnet demonstrates handwashing at a stainless steel station while soldiers watch nearby

President Mahama commissions expanded evaporated milk facility in Ghana

Nestlé believes Ghana will continue to play a leading role in the future of Central and West Africa.

Diverse group of people posing for a group photo in a bright lobby under an empa banner with 'this is possibility ' text above

Momentum beginning to build for 2027 ACCS gathering in Addis Ababa

Ethiopia’s marketers gather to celebrate hosting next year’s conference – but with an eye on the hard work ahead.

Young woman with curly hair smiling while looking at her phone outdoors wearing earphones

PwC report examines the future of African entertainment and media

Tech is creating more ways for audiences to connect, but lasting value will come from understanding the people behind those connections.

Four professionals in blue protective coats and hairnets cut a blue ribbon during a factory ceremony celebrating a ribbon cutting event

Unilever investment expands its Vaseline production capacity in Africa

The new production line at the historic Maydon Wharf facility in Durban will address growing international demand.

Group of formally dressed award winners posing on stage with trophies at the world cruise awards ceremony

World MICE Awards in Jamaica honour best African and global achievers

Tanzania, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and South Africa all feature in the African meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions awards.

Five adults in a rural village square talk holding notebooks and papers as they discuss together at sunset

AI won’t replace market research. But it will expose weak strategy

Much of the broader conversation around AI in market research assumes conditions that do not consistently exist across many African markets, writes Soyinka Witness.