Barry Callebaut appoints ex‑Unilever boss as new CEO

Barry Callebaut has appointed Hein Schumacher as new CEO, effective 26 January, 2026. The announcement, made early this morning, follows a turbulent year for the world’s biggest manufacturer of cocoa and chocolate products. In November, full-year earnings figures revealed a sharp drop in volume sales but a surge in revenue. And then December brought with it strong rumours that Barry Callebaut is in the early stages of a planned separation from it global cocoa unit . If you think you recognise the name Hein Schumacher, it’s because he served as CEO of British multinational Unilever for two years (2023-2025). There, he’s said to have “implemented a comprehensive growth plan that allowed the company to sharpen its focus on core brands with higher added value and achieve significant shareholder value growth”. Prior to Unilever he held leadership positions at dairy cooperatives Royal FrieslandCampina and HJ Heinz (now Kraft Heinz). He began his professional career as a finance manager with Unilever in 1996. “I am honored to serve as CEO of Barry Callebaut,” said Schumacher in a statement. “Following a period of unprecedented market turbulence, Barry Callebaut is at an exciting juncture.” He went on to say that while the business continues to navigate market and volume pressures, Barry Callebaut has a clear opportunity to return to growth, strengthen culture and deliver a step-up in business performance. Barry Callebaut chairman Patrick De Maeseneire responded to Schumacher’s appointment, saying: “The Board is delighted to welcome Hein Schumacher as Barry Callebaut’s next CEO after an extensive global search process and to embark on a new chapter of growth, value creation and industry leadership.” Maeseneire went on to say that Schumacher is the “right leader at this stage to chart Barry Callebaut’s next phase of increased customer focus, winning culture and financial strength, based on our fully integrated cocoa and chocolate business model”. Few details have been given as to why Peter Feld is leaving now, only that he is to “pursue other career opportunities”. However, he will “remain available” to Barry Callebaut during the transition to Hein, with a focus on transferring his knowledge of the BC Next Level transformation programme. “With the upcoming completion of BC Next Level, the Board and Peter decided that now is the right time for a CEO transition,” said Maeseneire. “On behalf of the entire Board, we thank Peter for his immense work and leadership and wish him all the best for the future.” “Over the last nearly three years, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside some of the most talented people in the industry and to build the foundation for future growth,” said Feld. “As the Board and I discussed, with most initiatives of BC Next Level already implemented, it is a good time to pass the baton to Hein. I do this with pride and gratitude to all who contributed. Barry Callebaut’s future is in good hands with Hein, and I wish Hein all the best in his new role.” Schumacher steps into the role at a pivotal moment for Barry Callebaut. With BC Next Level nearing completion, the company is preparing for what could be a reshaped operational and strategic landscape – one that may include significant structural changes, depending on the outcome of the reported cocoa‑unit separation discussions. For now, the focus remains on stabilising volumes, rebuilding momentum and reassuring customers and investors after a period marked by inflationary pressure, cocoa market volatility and shifting demand patterns. Analysts will be watching closely to see how Schumacher applies his turnaround experience from Unilever and FrieslandCampina to the cocoa and chocolate giant, and whether his arrival signals a deeper strategic reset in the months ahead. As Barry Callebaut moves into 2026, the company faces a mix of pressures and possibilities, and its newly appointed chief executive will play a central role in shaping the next chapter for the world’s largest chocolate maker.