Unilever appoints Srinivas Phatak as CFO and board member

By Lollie Hancock | Published: 16-Sep-2025
Finance

Following 26 years at the company and more than six months as acting Chief Financial Officer, the board of directors has appointed Phatak permanently, in addition to a spot on the board

Unilever PLC has appointed Srinivas Phatak as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

The appointment follows a seven-month search to fill the role, during which Srinivas stepped up from Deputy Chief Financial Officer and Group Controller to acting CFO.

Previous CFO Fernando Fernandez stepped up to CEO in March 2025 following Hein Schumacher’s departure from the personal care giant.

Since February 2025, the Unilever Board has operated a full search to find a permanent CFO, going on to agree by unanimous decision that Phatak was the best candidate for the role thanks to his “industry and functional experience and success” during his time as acting CFO.

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. 

“His leadership and constructive challenge will be very valuable in driving consistent volume growth, margin expansion, and advancing our growth story. 

“I am confident that, together with the team, we can build a scalable marketing and sales engine that delivers executional excellence across all channels."

Phatak has been with the company for 26 years, joining as Finance Manager in September 1999.

Unilever also shared details of Phatak’s salary, with an annual fixed pay of €1.175m.

Phatak will also be eligible to receive annual bonus and Performance Share Plan awards, and localisation support, all in line with Unilever's existing remuneration policy.

In addition to his new role as CFO, Patak has also been appointed to the board and Unilever Leadership Executive, effective immediately.He is also an Independent Non-Executive Director on the board of Coats Group pls

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