Unilever’s new chief exec and how to achieve growth in a sluggish economy

On this week’s episode of The Debrief, MT’s editorial team discusses Unilever’s recent CEO change and how to keep driving your business forward even in unfavourable market conditions.

The ousting of Hein Schumacher after little more than a year and a half in Unilever’s top job seemed to many to come as a bolt from the blue. “We are gobsmacked,” was how one analyst at RBC Capital summed up the reaction among colleagues. But even in the announcement the company put out about the change there were clues as to the frustrations that had precipitated such a move. We explore the board’s rationale, what the company’s new chief Fernando Fernandez brings to the table, and his priorities in the short and long term.

Companies that thrive, even when times are tough, “build resilience within their own internal economy”. That’s the contention at the heart of business scaling strategist John Mackin’s new piece for MT. We explain what this means and, against a backdrop of heightened economic uncertainty, bring you three tips on how to nonetheless continuously grow your business.

Credits:

Presenters: Éilis Cronin and Antonia Garrett Peel

Producer: Inga Marsden

Artwork: David Robinson

Links:

https://www.managementtoday.co.uk/unilever-brought-new-boss-fast-track-its-turnaround-strategy-deliver-goods/indepth/article/1914508

https://www.managementtoday.co.uk/sluggish-economy-doesnt-mean-cant-continuously-grow-business-heres-how/opinion-and-analysis/article/1912440

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Management Today's Leadership Lessons podcast is aimed at entertaining, educating and inspiring people to be better leaders.

The podcast delves into the world of leadership and management, bringing fresh insights, trends and advice to the ears of busy senior leaders.

We interview CEOs, founders, authors, executive coaches, business professors and other experts to discover the real secrets to effective leadership.

We also provide crucial insight into some of the biggest business stories of the day to help you stay ahead of the curve. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

• No. of episodes: 97
• Latest episode: 2025-07-03
• Business Careers Management

Where can you listen?