- The firm employs 6,000 British staff which will be affected by the cuts
Consumer goods giant Unilever has announced plans to cut around 7,500 jobs globally as part of an overhaul aimed at saving around £684 million over the next three years.
The Marmite and Dove soap firm, which employs 128,000 staff, also revealed it would spin off its ice cream business – which includes the Ben & Jerry’s, Wall’s and Magnum brands – under the shake-up.
Unilever, which is headquartered in Blackfriars, London, said the jobs affected by the restructure would be largely office-based as it looks to invest in technology to boost productivity and save money.
The roles are expected to go over the next two years although staff will be consulted about the cuts.
Unilever did not reveal how many jobs would go in each country but it is expected that its 6,000 UK workers will be among those impacted.
Consumer goods giant Unilever employs 128,000 staff – 6,000 of which are based in the UK
![Unilever, which makes Marmite, have said the job cuts will impact their UK workforce](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/19/08/82627545-13213357-image-a-2_1710836668068.jpg)
Unilever, which makes Marmite, have said the job cuts will impact their UK workforce
Chief executive Hein Schumacher said the plan was about doing ‘fewer things better’.
He said: ‘Under the growth action plan we have committed to do fewer things better, and with greater impact.
‘The changes we are announcing today will help us accelerate that plan.’
He added: ‘We are committed to carrying out our productivity programme in consultation with employee representatives, and with respect and care for those of our people who are impacted.’
Unilever said the ice cream arm would likely be demerged but added it would consider other options to ‘maximise returns for shareholders’.
The group will kick-start the demerger process immediately, with full separation set to be completed by the end of next year.
While the group-wide overhaul is expected to deliver significant savings, it will cost the firm about 1.2 per cent of group sales over the next three years.
![Unilever's largest brand include Dove (pictured), Lynx, Ben & Jerry's, Hellmann's and Marmite](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/19/08/82628045-13213357-image-a-16_1710837868262.jpg)
Unilever’s largest brand include Dove (pictured), Lynx, Ben & Jerry’s, Hellmann’s and Marmite
![Unilever also revealed it would spin off its ice cream business, which includes the Ben & Jerry's, Wall's and Magnum brands](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/19/08/82628083-13213357-image-a-17_1710837997491.jpg)
Unilever also revealed it would spin off its ice cream business, which includes the Ben & Jerry’s, Wall’s and Magnum brands
Ian Meakins, chairman of Unilever, said: ‘The separation of ice cream and the delivery of the productivity programme will help create a simpler, more focused, and higher performing Unilever.
‘It will also create a world-leading ice cream business, with strong growth prospects and an exciting future as a standalone business.’
The giant consumer goods firm has been hit by slumping sales due to cash-strapped consumers being pushed towards cheaper supermarket own-brand products as the cost-of-living crisis continues.
The company’s share price hit an 18-month low in January as it dropped six per cent in the past year.
The grim economic outlook for the company has heaped pressure on Mr Schumacher, who took on the top job last July, to change the company’s fortunes.
He has pledged to stop ‘force-fitting’ social justice messaging on to brands which he described as a ‘distraction’ for some of their products.