Unilever has officially appointed Srinivas Phatak as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), following his successful tenure as Acting CFO. With more than 25 years of experience at Unilever, Phatak has built an extensive career in business and corporate finance, holding several senior leadership positions that prepared him for this critical role. His appointment underscores Unilever’s focus on financial discipline, sustainable growth, and long-term value creation.
Over the course of his career at the company, Phatak has taken on responsibilities of increasing scope and complexity. He has served as Deputy CFO and Controller, as well as Executive Vice President for Financial Controls and Risk Management, giving him a strong command of financial operations and governance at both business unit and corporate levels. His ability to lead in complex, global environments has made him a trusted voice within Unilever’s leadership team.
Alongside his responsibilities at Unilever, Phatak also contributes his expertise externally. He is a Non-Executive Director at Coats, a global leader in industrial threads and footwear components, where he provides independent oversight and guidance. Earlier in his career, he began his professional journey with ITC Limited, gaining early exposure to corporate finance and strategic management before joining Unilever.
Known for his strategic mindset and global outlook, Phatak is well-positioned to steer Unilever’s financial strategy at a time of rapid change in consumer markets and supply chains. The company has emphasized that his “strategic insight, global experience, and proven track record in financial leadership position him strongly to guide Unilever’s financial agenda for long-term value creation and sustainable growth.”
His elevation to the CFO role comes at a pivotal moment for Unilever, as the company continues to balance delivering strong shareholder returns with advancing sustainability commitments and navigating global economic uncertainty. By bringing decades of internal experience and external perspective to the table, Phatak is expected to play a central role in shaping the company’s financial priorities and ensuring resilience in the years ahead.
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