Startups
Unilever CEO To Quit Next Year As Investors Question Credibility
September 26, 2022
February 10, 2025
By Evans Momodu
1 minute read
Unilever, the FTSE-100 consumer goods giant, is nearing a £230m deal to acquire Wild, a premium refillable personal care brand backed by the founders of Innocent Drinks.
Industry sources indicate that the transaction has been agreed upon, with an official announcement expected within weeks.
If finalised, this would be one of Unilever’s most significant acquisitions in the personal care sector in recent years.
The move aligns with CEO Hein Schumacher’s strategy to revamp Unilever’s portfolio and strengthen its presence in the sustainable and premium cosmetics market.
Unilever, which owns Dove and Lynx (Axe in most markets), was reportedly attracted to Wild due to its commitment to sustainability and premium brand positioning.
Founded just six years ago by Charlie Bowes-Lyon and Freddy Ward, Wild sells refillable deodorants, lip balms, body washes, and hand washes directly to consumers.
The £230m sale price includes a sizeable earnout for the founders, making it a remarkable success story for a startup that initially struggled to develop a marketable product.
Source: Sky news
