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.

Unilever has ousted chief executive Hein Schumacher after its board lost patience with the pace of his turnaround plan for the London-listed group, replacing him with chief financial officer Fernando Fernandez.

In a surprise announcement, Unilever said its CEO was leaving and Fernando Fernandez, currently Unilever's chief financial officer and executive director, will replace him on March 1.

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.

Unilever CEO Hein Schumacher is stepping down after less than two years in the job, the company said Tuesday. Current CFO Fernando Fernandez is set to take his place leading the company, effective March 1.

Unilever stunned investors on Tuesday by moving to replace chief executive Hein Schumacher with finance chief Fernando Fernandez, who will take on the tough task of reviving the consumer group's performance.

Hein Schumacher is stepping down from his role as Unilever CEO and as a board director after less than two years on the job. Schumacher will leave the company on May 31. Fernando Fernandez, who currently serves as Unilever's chief financial officer and executive director,

Unilever chief executive Hein Schumacher will step down after less than two years in the job and finance chief Fernando Fernandez will take over, as the consumer goods group strives to revive its performance.