"The step-up from CFO to CEO by Fernandez will be liked by many investors," Jefferies analyst David Hayes said of the Unilever CEO transition.

Unilever surprised investors on Tuesday by ousting chief executive Hein Schumacher and replacing him with finance chief Fernando Fernandez, who will focus on speeding up the execution of the consumer group's turnaround strategy.

The surprise exit of Hein Schumacher comes less than two years after he took on the top role at the consumer-goods giant.

Unilever's board, which includes billionaire activist investor Nelson Peltz, was unified in its decision to oust CEO Hein Schumacher, a source familiar with the board's thinking told Reuters. The boar

Unilever has ousted chief executive Hein Schumacher after less than two years, replacing him with chief financial officer Fernando Fernandez as the consumer goods group steps up efforts to revive its fortunes.