Barreto, currently chief marketing officer for Unilever’s Beauty & Wellbeing business group, will extend his remit, taking accountability for enterprise-wide marketing and becoming chief marketing officer, Unilever and Beauty & Wellbeing from 1st January 2026.

Eggleston Bracey, chief growth and marketing officer, will leave Unilever at the end of January after eight years at the company, and will work with Barreto on the handover.

Unilever said its work in recent years, led by Eggleston Bracey, to change the marketing approach and how it engages with consumers, has reached a point where ‘greater ownership and proximity to Unilever’s business groups will drive increased impact’.

As part of his remit, Barreto will look to connect the company’s business group-level execution with its longer term capability ambitions.

Fernando Fernandez, chief executive, Unilever, said: “I would like to thank Esi for her significant contribution to Unilever and wish her every success in the next chapter of her career.

“With strong groundwork now in place, I know Leandro will make a big impact in his expanded role as we accelerate desire at scale and turn Unilever into a true marketing and sales machine.”

Pictured: Leandro Barreto. Photography courtesy of Unilever