Unilever names Phatak CFO after stint as acting finance boss

Consumer goods giant Unilever has promoted Srinivas Phatak to chief financial officer, effective immediately, also becoming a board member and part of its Unilever Leadership Executive.

Phatak has moved up through the company’s finance department to take its top post. In February, Unilever first announced he would become acting CFO, rising from deputy chief financial officer and group controller at the time.

Following “a thorough internal and external search process, the Unilever Board “unanimous agreement that Srinivas is the best candidate for the role, due to the strength of his industry and functional experience and having performed strongly as acting CFO”, it said.

Unilever chief executive Fernando Fernandez added: “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’m confident that, together with the team, we can build a scalable marketing and sales engine that delivers executional excellence across all channels.”

Phatak is also currently an independent non-executive director on the board of Coats Group.