Hein is currently CEO of the global dairy and nutrition business Royal FrieslandCampina and became a Non-Executive Director of Unilever in October last year. He will begin as Unilever CEO on 1 July 2023, after a one-month handover period.
Hein is a business leader with an excellent track record across multiple leading companies in the consumer goods industry. As CEO of Royal FrieslandCampina, an €11bn 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.
Prior to joining Royal FrieslandCampina as CFO in 2014, Hein 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. Hein began his career in finance at Unilever, before joining Royal Ahold NV.
Unilever Chairman Nils Andersen said: “We are delighted to welcome Hein as our new Chief Executive, after an extensive, global search process. Hein 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. The Board looks forward to Hein realising the full potential of Unilever as a winning business which delivers long-term growth and value for all its stakeholders.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Alan for his leadership of Unilever. The changes he has made to the company’s strategy, structure and organisation leave Unilever far better positioned for success. Alan will continue to lead Unilever until the end of June. He will be retiring after a tremendous 37-year career with our business.”
Hein said: “I am delighted to have been appointed to lead Unilever. It is a business with an impressive global footprint, a strong brand portfolio, a talented team and an enviable reputation as a leader in sustainability. In my time serving on the Board, I have only become more convinced by the strength of Unilever’s fundamentals and its clear growth potential. I will be very focused on working with the Unilever team to deliver a step-up in business performance, as we serve the billions of people around the world who use its products every day.”
There are no additional matters that require disclosure under 9.6.13R of the UK Listing Rules.
Notes to Editors
- Hein Schumacher will be appointed Unilever CEO Designate on 1 June 2023 and will be appointed Unilever CEO on 1 July 2023.
- Alan Jope will step down from the Unilever Board on 1 July.
CEO Remuneration
Hein Schumacher will receive annual fixed pay of €1.85m, be eligible to receive annual bonus and Performance Share Plan awards, and relocation support, all in line with Unilever’s existing remuneration policy. His salary puts him at the median of our benchmark companies.
He will also receive share-based awards to replace the loss of incentive payments from his previous employer. Further details of his remuneration arrangements will be set out in the 2022 Directors’ Remuneration Report.
Biography
Hein Schumacher, 51, is a global business leader with an excellent track record across multiple leading companies in the consumer goods industry.
He has been CEO of Royal FrieslandCampina, an €11bn business operating in over 40 countries - and with products sold in over 100 - since January 2018. During this time, Hein has delivered significant portfolio and organisation change as part of transforming it into a more focused, growth-driven and sustainable business. Prior to his appointment as CEO, Hein was Royal FrieslandCampina’s Chief Financial Officer for three years.
Prior to joining Royal FrieslandCampina, Hein worked for H.J. Heinz for over a decade – during a time of significant change at the company. In 2008 he was appointed Chief Strategy Officer, before moving to China in 2011 as its President and CEO. In 2013, he was appointed Executive Vice President of Kraft Heinz’s Asia Pacific Zone and led a successful turnaround of the business, which spanned China, Indonesia, India, Japan and Oceania.
Earlier in his career, Hein worked in finance as Corporate Controller, Asia and Central America for Royal Ahold NV. He began his career at Unilever.
Hein holds a Masters degree in Political Science and International Relations from University of Amsterdam.
He is married, with three children.
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