Priya Nair First Woman to Lead Hindustan Unilever as CEO

Priya Nair has been appointed as the next Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL), becoming the first woman to lead the company in its 92-year history. She will take over from Rohit Jawa on August 1, 2025, after his retirement on July 31, 2025. Nair will also join the HUL Board, subject to regulatory approvals, and will continue as a member of the Unilever Leadership Executive (ULE). Currently, she serves as President of Beauty & Wellbeing at Unilever, one of its fastest growing global divisions.

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Nair’s Strong Foundation in Indian Market Led to Global Role

Priya Nair joined Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) in 1995 and has held several leadership roles across home care, beauty, and personal care. Early in her career, she worked as Consumer Insights Manager and Brand Manager for brands like Dove, Rin, and Comfort. She later led marketing for the laundry segment and managed categories such as oral care and deodorants. Nair also served as General Manager for Customer Development in HUL’s western region, followed by senior roles as Executive Director and CCVP for Home Care and Beauty & Personal Care in South Asia. In 2022, she took on the role of Global Chief Marketing Officer for Unilever’s Beauty & Wellbeing division and moved up to President in 2023.

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Strong Educational Foundation and Industry Trust Behind Nair’s Rise

Priya Nair holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounts and Statistics from Sydenham College (1987–1992) and an MBA in Marketing from Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune (1992–1994). She further enhanced her leadership skills through a Business Administration and Management program at Harvard Business School. Nitin Paranjpe, Chairman of Hindustan Unilever, praised her achievements, noting her stellar career at HUL and Unilever, and expressed confidence in her ability to elevate HUL’s performance given her strong market knowledge. Nair will succeed Rohit Jawa, who has led HUL since 2023. During his tenure, the company saw volume-led growth despite challenges like weak urban demand and a slow recovery in discretionary spending.

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