Consumer goods giant Unilever has unveiled plans to slash a third of its office-based roles across Europe by the end of 2025, affecting approximately 3,200 jobs.

This move is part of a broader cost-cutting initiative announced in March, which aims to streamline the company's operations and revive growth under the leadership of chief exec Hein Schumacher.

The company, known for brands such as Dove, Persil, and Lynx, stated that it would begin consultations with employees who may be impacted by the proposed changes. "We recognise the significant anxiety that these proposals are causing among our people," Unilever said in a statement.

Hermann Soggeberg, head of Unilever's European Works Council, described the cuts as "the biggest job cuts in Unilever for decades" in a letter to staff. He criticised the company's terminology, stating, "It was a misnomer to call the cuts a 'Productivity Programme' as people who had worked and been productive were now set to lose their livelihoods."

The restructuring is part of Schumacher's strategy to win back investor confidence following years of underperformance. In addition to the job cuts, Unilever recently announced plans to spin off its ice cream business, which includes popular brands such as Magnum and Ben & Jerry's.

Jack Martin, a portfolio manager at Oberon Investments, commented on the situation: "From a shareholder's point of view, a turnaround was clearly required at an underperforming business. The ice cream business sale was the first step, but moves to streamline the workforce in the coming months speak to the further work that is required to deliver value to shareholders."

While the exact locations of the job cuts remain unclear, Unilever maintains significant offices in London and Rotterdam. The company employs approximately 6,000 staff in the UK, with production facilities in various locations including Gloucestershire, Burton-on-Trent, and Newport.

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