Clorox Appoints Unilever Veteran As CEO

American consumer goods manufacturer Clorox has appointed Fabian Garcia as its next chief executive, bringing in a seasoned multinational executive as the company prepares for a leadership transition. Garcia, currently president of Unilever's Personal Care business, will assume the position on 5 January 2027, succeeding Linda Rendle, who announced in May that she would step down for health reasons.

Garcia brings more than four decades of experience in consumer products, including previous leadership positions at Revlon, Colgate-Palmolive and Procter & Gamble. Before taking charge of Unilever's Personal Care division, he served as president of Unilever North America. His appointment follows a comprehensive board-led search and places an executive with extensive brand management and international operating experience at the head of a portfolio that includes Clorox, Glad, Brita and Burt's Bees.

The transition will also change the company's governance structure. Garcia will join the board when he becomes chief executive, while lead independent director Matthew Shattock will assume the role of independent chairman. Rendle, who currently holds both positions, will remain as a senior adviser until 2 April to support the handover. The arrangement will separate board leadership from executive management.

Clorox is preparing to report its first-quarter fiscal 2027 results on 2 November, giving investors another opportunity to assess the company's performance before the transition. Garcia will inherit responsibility for strengthening execution and identifying opportunities for growth across a competitive consumer products market. His appointment also demonstrates the board's preference for an established industry leader with experience managing major brands through changing market conditions.