Unilever has appointed Srinivas Phatak as its new chief financial officer after conducting a comprehensive internal and external search.
The consumer goods giant announced that Phatak, who has served as acting CFO since February 2025, will assume the role permanently with immediate effect, joining both the Unilever board and executive leadership team.
Unilever CEO Fernando Fernandez said: “Srinivas has been a great partner over the last six months as acting CFO and over many years as part of the Unilever leadership team. He brings financial rigour, strategic clarity, and a sharp eye for value creation.”
Phatak, who has held senior finance positions at the group for several years, also serves as an independent non-executive director at Coats Group. His remuneration package includes a fixed salary of €1.175m, along with bonus opportunities and share awards under Unilever’s existing pay policy.
Unilever stated that the appointment will reinforce its focus on delivering steady volume growth, expanding margins, and enhancing execution across its markets.
The appointment comes after former chief financial officer Fernandez stepped into the role of chief executive in March, succeeding Hein Schumacher, whose abrupt departure was described by the board as a “mutual agreement,” despite widespread reports suggesting he had been “ousted.”