Unilever Plc on Tuesday pushed out Chief Executive Officer Hein Schumacher after less than two years, signaling that the board wasn't satisfied with the pace of restructuring at the maker of Hellmann's mayonnaise and Ben & Jerry's ice cream.

Unilever surprised investors on Tuesday by ousting chief executive Hein Schumacher and replacing him with finance chief Fernando Fernandez, who will take over the tough task of reviving the consumer group's performance.

Unilever has ousted chief executive Hein Schumacher after less than two years, replacing him with chief financial officer Fernando Fernandez as the consumer goods group steps up efforts to revive its fortunes.