Product details

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Abstract

Hein Schumacher (Schumacher), who once had begun his career at Unilever plc, (Unilever), one of the world's largest consumer goods groups, as a graduate trainee in 1997, was appointed as CEO in July 2023. Schumacher, as a business leader, had an excellent track record and was known for coordinating sensitive projects and bringing organisational change. At Unilever, Schumacher was tasked with realising full potential as a winning business and delivering long-term value for all stakeholders. In October 2023, Schumacher had laid out a plan focusing on productivity, building a performance culture, and an overhaul of the leadership team to drive growth after years of disappointing growth. In March 2024, Unilever announced its decision to spin-off its ice cream business by the end of 2025 and make it a standalone business. The company also hoped to deepen its cost-cutting measures and save an estimated EUR800 million by 2027, cutting about 7,500 jobs. Experts termed this to be a right move but doubted the effective separation in terms of bolstering the growth considering previous disposals such as tea and spreads business. Would Unilever CEO Schumacher be able to deliver the promised quality of growth, productivity and returns overcoming the pressure and challenges?

Teaching and learning

This item is suitable for undergraduate, postgraduate and executive education courses.

Time period

The events covered by this case took place in 2024.

Geographical setting

Region:
World/global

Featured company

Unilever plcĀ 
Employees:
10000+
Type:
Public company
Industry:
Consumer goods

Featured protagonist

  • Hein Schumacher (male), CEO

About

Abstract

Hein Schumacher (Schumacher), who once had begun his career at Unilever plc, (Unilever), one of the world's largest consumer goods groups, as a graduate trainee in 1997, was appointed as CEO in July 2023. Schumacher, as a business leader, had an excellent track record and was known for coordinating sensitive projects and bringing organisational change. At Unilever, Schumacher was tasked with realising full potential as a winning business and delivering long-term value for all stakeholders. In October 2023, Schumacher had laid out a plan focusing on productivity, building a performance culture, and an overhaul of the leadership team to drive growth after years of disappointing growth. In March 2024, Unilever announced its decision to spin-off its ice cream business by the end of 2025 and make it a standalone business. The company also hoped to deepen its cost-cutting measures and save an estimated EUR800 million by 2027, cutting about 7,500 jobs. Experts termed this to be a right move but doubted the effective separation in terms of bolstering the growth considering previous disposals such as tea and spreads business. Would Unilever CEO Schumacher be able to deliver the promised quality of growth, productivity and returns overcoming the pressure and challenges?

Teaching and learning

This item is suitable for undergraduate, postgraduate and executive education courses.

Settings

Time period

The events covered by this case took place in 2024.

Geographical setting

Region:
World/global

Featured company

Unilever plcĀ 
Employees:
10000+
Type:
Public company
Industry:
Consumer goods

Featured protagonist

  • Hein Schumacher (male), CEO

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