Factbox: Recent leadership changes at global consumer goods companies

Stanley Black & Decker

11/12/2025 13:32

Adds Altria

Dec 11 (Reuters) -
Coca-Cola KO.N and Altria MO.N became the latest companies to name new CEOs as the consumer sector goes through a flurry of leadership changes against the backdrop of tariff pressures, an uncertain economy and a choppy consumer spending backdrop.

Here are some of the major CEO changes among global consumer goods companies in the past year.

Company
Date of Announcement
Details
Altria MO.N
December 11, 2025
Altria announced that CEO Billy Gifford, who has led the tobacco giant since 2020, will retire, effective May 14, 2026.
The tobacco giant announced Gifford will be succeeded by finance head Salvatore Mancuso.
Coca-Cola KO.N
December 10, 2025
Coca-Cola named COO Henrique Braun as its new CEO, effective March 31, 2026
Braun succeeds James Quincey, who is stepping down after nine years at the helm.
Kohl's Corp KSS.N
November 24, 2025
Kohl's Corp named retail veteran Michael Bender as its permanent CEO, after he served as the interim chief since May.
Bender replaced Ashley Buchanan, who was fired for a personal relationship with a vendor.
Walmart WMT.N
November 14, 2025
The company said Doug McMillon, who has been heading the retail bellwether since 2014, will retire in January 2026.
John Furner, McMillon's successor, currently serves as CEO of Walmart U.S. and has held leadership roles at the company.
Nestle NESN.S
September 1, 2025
Nestle 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 TGT.N
August 20, 2025
The retailer named longtime company veteran Michael Fiddelke as its CEO, replacing retail industry bigwig Brian Cornell, effective February 1, 2026.
Procter & Gamble PG.N
July 28, 2025
Procter & Gamble said CEO Jon Moeller is stepping away from the role, to be succeeded by Chief Operating Officer Shailesh Jejurikar.
Diageo DGE.L
July 16, 2025
The Johnnie Walker whisky and 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 KVUE.N
July 14, 2025
The Band-Aid and Tylenol maker 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 Unilever HLL.NS
July 10, 2025
Hindustan Unilever named Priya Nair as managing director and CEO, replacing Rohit Jawa well before the completion of his five-year term as the company's chief.
Hershey HSY.N
July 8, 2025
Hershey named burger chain Wendy's WEN.O chief Kirk Tanner as its CEO, effective August 18, replacing Michele Buck, who is set to retire.
Stanley Black & Decker SWK.N
June 30, 2025
The power tools maker appointed operations chief Christopher Nelson as its next CEO and president, effective October 1, succeeding Donald Allan Jr., who is set to retire.
Unilever ULVR.L
February 25, 2025
The company ousted chief executive Hein Schumacher, replacing him with finance chief Fernando Fernandez.

 (Reporting by Neil J Kanatt and Sanskriti Shekhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Andrea Ricci, Anil D'Silva and Alan Barona)

 ((Neil.JKanatt@thomsonreuters.com))