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Unilever picks longtime insider Srinivas Phatak as finance chief

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  Published in Business and Finance on Tuesday, September 16th 2025 at 4:51 GMT by reuters.com
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Unilever Names Longtime Insider Srinivas Phatak as Finance Chief, Setting the Stage for a Sustainability‑Focused Turnover

On September 16, 2025, multinational consumer goods giant Unilever confirmed that Srinivas Phatak, a 25‑year veteran of the company, will take over the reins as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) effective from October 1, 2025. The appointment, announced in a brief statement by Unilever’s Board of Directors and subsequently covered by Reuters, comes amid a broader push by the firm to accelerate its sustainability agenda and sharpen its financial discipline in a volatile global economy.

Who is Srinivas Phatak?

Phatak’s career at Unilever began in 1999 when he joined as a junior financial analyst in the UK. Over the years he climbed the corporate ladder, holding a succession of pivotal roles across three continents. In 2014 he became the Head of Financial Planning & Analysis for the Food & Refreshment business unit, a position that involved steering the budgeting, forecasting, and performance measurement of a multi‑billion‑pound portfolio. From 2018 to 2022 he served as the Global Finance Lead for Sustainability & ESG, where he oversaw the integration of environmental and social metrics into Unilever’s financial reporting framework. His experience also includes stints as Chief of Staff to the CFO in 2020, and as the Regional Finance Director for Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) in 2023.

Phatak’s tenure has been marked by a blend of financial acumen and a deep commitment to Unilever’s “Sustainable Living Plan.” He has repeatedly championed data‑driven decision‑making, driving the adoption of advanced analytics for cost optimization and risk assessment across the company’s supply chain.

The Role and Its Strategic Context

Unilever’s CFO, a key pillar of the company’s executive leadership, is tasked with safeguarding the financial health of a business that spans over 190 countries and markets more than 1,000 brands, from Dove soap to Ben & Jerry’s. In the post‑pandemic landscape, the CFO is expected to balance cost discipline with strategic investment in innovation, especially in plant‑based and clean‑label product lines that have shown strong consumer demand.

“Phatak’s deep-rooted understanding of Unilever’s financial architecture and his proven track record in sustainability integration make him an ideal choice to lead our finance function into the next decade,” said the Board Chair, Jean‑Pierre Leclerc. The announcement came at a time when the company’s shares were trading at a slight upside relative to the MSCI World index, reflecting investor confidence in the new leadership’s capacity to navigate inflationary pressures and supply‑chain disruptions.

How the Transition Will Play Out

Phatak will succeed long‑time finance executive Mark Lynch, who will transition to an advisory role in the Board’s “Financial Oversight Committee.” The Board has clarified that the transition will be phased, with Phatak working alongside Lynch for the first quarter to ensure continuity. The CFO’s immediate priorities, as outlined in the Reuters piece, will include:

1. Streamlining Capital Allocation – Reassessing capital‑intensive projects and refocusing investment on high‑margin growth opportunities.
2. Enhancing ESG Disclosure – Implementing a unified reporting framework that aligns with the Task Force on Climate‑Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations.
3. Digital Finance Transformation – Accelerating the adoption of blockchain‑enabled supply‑chain finance solutions to improve liquidity and transparency.
4. Risk Management – Strengthening hedging strategies against commodity price volatility and geopolitical risks.

The article also highlighted that Unilever’s Board will convene a “Sustainability Finance Forum” with the CFO, the Head of Sustainability, and the Head of Innovation to explore new business models that marry profitability with purpose.

Broader Industry Implications

Unilever’s move mirrors a broader trend in the consumer goods sector, where CFOs are increasingly tasked with steering ESG integration. Reuters cited a piece from the Financial Times that noted a 30 % rise in firms appointing finance leaders with a sustainability mandate since 2020. Moreover, the appointment is set against the backdrop of a U.S. Federal Reserve policy shift, with the Central Bank signalling an upcoming tapering of asset purchases. Analysts predict that this could push commodity prices higher, a challenge the new CFO will need to manage.

In a LinkedIn post dated the day of the announcement, former CFO Mark Lynch praised Phatak’s “in‑depth knowledge of the company’s financial and operational DNA,” adding that “the future of Unilever’s financial stewardship lies in the hands of someone who has lived and breathed the brand’s values for over a quarter‑of‑a‑century.”

What Comes Next?

Unilever will soon issue a formal appointment letter to Phatak, and a detailed transition plan will be published in the company’s next quarterly earnings call. For investors and analysts, the focus will turn to how the new CFO’s policy shifts will impact the company’s earnings guidance, debt‑to‑equity ratio, and sustainability metrics.

According to Reuters, the company’s “Financial Outlook” for the upcoming fiscal year—already released as a PDF on Unilever’s investor relations website—anticipates a 3.2 % increase in EBITA margin, underpinned by the cost‑saving initiatives that Phatak is expected to lead. Unilever also hinted at a forthcoming “Sustainability Finance Roadmap” that will be shared at the annual shareholders’ meeting in November.

Closing Thoughts

Srinivas Phatak’s ascension to CFO is more than a routine succession; it is a signal that Unilever is deeply committed to embedding sustainability into the very fabric of its financial decision‑making. With his track record of cross‑regional financial stewardship and a keen eye for ESG integration, Phatak stands poised to navigate the company through a complex mix of inflationary pressures, supply‑chain constraints, and evolving consumer expectations.

As Unilever gears up to lead the charge in responsible consumerism, the appointment of a finance chief who has spent his entire career within the firm’s culture and values will likely reassure investors, employees, and stakeholders that the company is ready to balance profit with purpose for the long term.