Unilever Cleans Up the Roster: 7,500 Jobs Gone, Ice Cream Splits Out
Unilever’s new growth playbook includes a daring reshuffle that will slash 7,500 positions worldwide. The headline goal? To boost shareholder value by tightening the focus and injecting advanced tech into the company’s core operations.
Where the Cuts Hit
- Office-based roles will carry the brunt of layoffs.
- For the UK, about 6,000 positions are earmarked for removal.
- These decisions will be rolled out after a thorough consultation process with employee representatives.
Tech‑Tuned Productivity
Unilever plans to invest heavily in artificial intelligence and information technology, targeting a £684 million savings over the next three years. The broader restructuring strategy is expected to yield £984 million in cost cuts, roughly 1.2 % of total turnover.
Splitting Off the Sweet Spot
This year, the conglomerate will separate its ice‑cream arm—home to beloved brands such as Magnum, Cornetto, and Ben & Jerry’s—into a stand‑alone entity. Chair Ian Meakins sees the move as a momentum‑builder that will let the new company fly high in a market hungry for indulgence.
Voices from the C‑Suite
CEO Hein Schumacher said, “The Growth Action Plan means doing fewer things but doing them better and with impact. These changes accelerate that vision, letting us focus resources on globally scalable brands and unleash our tech edge across complementary models.” Meanwhile, chairman Ian Meakins added, “A simpler, more focused Unilever is set to become a high‑perf superstar.”
Analysts’ Take
Hargreaves Lansdown’s Matt Britzman noted, “Action is what shareholders demanded, and the new top tier delivered on that. Ice‑cream, once the odd man out, is now poised to thrive as a single, powerful business.”
What’s Next?
The restructuring will be rolled out in stages, with support systems in place to aid affected employees. Unilever’s confidence in its planet‑positive trajectory remains steadfast, aiming to keep pace with sustainable growth and profitability.
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