Schumacher defended his approach and record as CEO and said he regretted leaving Unilever earlier than anticipated.

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.