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

The surprise exit of Hein Schumacher comes less than two years after he took on the top role at the consumer-goods giant.

Unilever's board, which includes billionaire activist investor Nelson Peltz, was unified in its decision to oust CEO Hein Schumacher, a source familiar with the board's thinking told Reuters.