FACTBOX-Recent leadership changes at global consumer goods companies
Recent leadership changes in global consumer goods companies include Walmart's CEO Doug McMillon retiring in January 2026, with John Furner succeeding him. Nestle dismissed CEO Laurent Freixe, replaced by Philipp Navratil. Target appointed Michael Fiddelke as CEO, effective February 2026. Procter & Gamble's CEO Jon Moeller is stepping down, succeeded by Shailesh Jejurikar. Diageo's CEO Debra Crew stepped down, with Nik Jhangiani as interim CEO. Other changes occurred at Kenvue, Hindustan Unilever, Hershey, Stanley Black & Decker, Kohl's, and Unilever.
Nov 14 (Reuters) -
Walmart (WMT.N)
said
CEO Doug McMillon would retire next year and that insider John Furner would succeed him as the retailer’s top boss.
The move is the latest in a string of leadership changes sweeping through the retail sector as companies tackle tariff pressures, an uncertain economy and a choppy consumer spending backdrop.
Here are some examples of major CEO changes among global consumer goods companies in the past year.
Company Date of Details
Announcement
Walmart November 14, 2025 The company said
(WMT.N) McMillon, who has been heading the
retail bellwether since 2014, will
retire in January 2026.
Furner, McMillon’s
successor, currently serves as CEO
of Walmart U.S. and has held
leadership roles at the company.
Nestle August 23, 2025 Nestle
(NESN.S) dismissed
its CEO, Laurent
Freixe, a year after appointing
him, following an investigation
into an undisclosed romantic
relationship with a direct
subordinate that breached the
company’s code of conduct.
Freixe was replaced by
Philipp Navratil, CEO of Nestle
Nespresso, on September 1.
Target August 20, 2025 The retailer
(TGT.N) named
longtime company
veteran Michael Fiddelke as its
CEO, replacing retail industry
bigwig Brian Cornell, effective
February 1, 2026.
Procter & July 28, 2025 Procter & Gamble CEO said CEO Jon
Gamble Moeller is stepping away from the
(PG.N) role, to be succeeded by Chief
Operating Officer Shailesh
Jejurikar.
Diageo July 16, 2025 The Johnnie Walker whisky and
(DGE.L) Guinness beer maker’s CEO, Debra
Crew, stepped down after two years
in the job, with finance chief Nik
Jhangiani taking over in the
interim.
Kenvue July 14, 2025 The Band-Aid and Tylenol maker
(KVUE.N) fired its CEO Thibaut Mongon,
laying what some investors expect
will be the groundwork for an
eventual sale of the entire
company or pieces of it, and named
director Kirk Perry as interim
CEO.
Hindustan July 10, 2025 Hindustan Unilever named Priya
Unilever Nair as managing director and CEO,
(HLL.NS) replacing Rohit Jawa well before
the completion of his five-year
term as the company’s chief.
Hershey July 8, 2025 Hershey named burger chain Wendy’s
(HSY.N) (WEN.O) chief Kirk Tanner as its
CEO, effective August 18,
replacing Michele Buck, who is set
to retire.
Stanley June 30, 2025 The power tools maker appointed
Black & operations chief Christopher
Decker Nelson as its next CEO and
(SWK.N) President, effective October 1,
succeeding Donald Allan Jr., who
is set to retire.
Kohls May 1, 2025 Kohl’s fired CEO Ashley Buchanan
(KSS.N) after an investigation found he
had pushed for deals with a vendor
with whom he had a personal
relationship, after little more
than 100 days in the position.
Unilever February 25, 2025 The company ousted chief executive
(ULVR.L) Hein Schumacher, replacing him
with finance chief Fernando
Fernandez.
