New Lever Chief To Reshape Giant Empire

Analysts said investors are banking on FitzGerald's leadership to spur sweeping change and to revive stagnant growth but they warned that longer-term benefits might be won at the cost of short-term pain.

They may need to stomach some short term earnings dilution to boost returns in the long run, said one analyst who asked not to be identified.

Major restructuring plans were already under consideration, according to food industry analysts, but now investors are looking to FitzGerald to implement them more rapidly.

People were anticipating his arrival would be a trigger for the restructuring to happen faster, said one industry analyst who asked not to be identified.

 

Investors see Fitzgerald, who at 50 is young for a Unilever chairman, bringing a change of culture at the traditionally conservative group.

The company's recent performance has been sluggish and profits in this year's second quarter fell six per cent to