'Geopolitical realities' | Unilever freezes global hiring amid Middle East conflict pressures

Unilever - the company behind huge brands like Dove, Knorr, Cif and Lynx - has introduced a global recruitment freeze “at all levels” for at least three months, as the consumer goods giant responds to mounting geopolitical and economic pressures linked to the conflict in the Middle East.

According to an internal memo sent to staff and seen by Reuters, the hiring pause has taken effect immediately and is designed to help the business navigate what it described as a period of heightened uncertainty.

Fabian Garcia, head of Unilever’s personal care division, said in the memo: “Macro economic and geopolitical realities, especially in the Middle East conflict... bring some significant challenges for the coming few months.”

He added: “With this in mind, the Unilever Leadership Executive team has agreed a global recruitment freeze at all levels. This will be effective immediately and last for a minimum of three months.”