- The first time a woman will serve as the CEO and MD of Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) in its 92-year history is with the appointment of Priya Nair
- She will succeed current CEO Rohit Jawa and take charge on August 1, 2025
- In keeping with her position as a global leader within the company, she is also a member of the Unilever Leadership Executive (ULE)
Priya Nair will be the next Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) CEO and Managing Director, a historic milestone since it is the company's first female CEO in its 92-year history. She will assume office on August 1, 2025, upon the exit of Rohit Jawa on July 31.
The appointment is a historic milestone towards gender representation at the board level in India. Priya joined HUL in 1995, and over a period of almost three decades, rose to the pinnacle. At the beginning of her career, she was in crucial positions like Consumer Insights Manager and Brand Manager for home brands like Dove, Comfort, and Rin. She then spearheaded large categories like oral care, deodorants, and laundry.
She has also been an Executive Director and CCVP for South Asia Beauty & Personal Care and Homecare. She was appointed as Unilever's Global Chief Marketing Officer for its Beauty & Wellbeing business in 2022 because of her outstanding leadership and keen understanding of consumer behavior. She was elevated to President of the Global Business Unit, which is among the fastest-growing businesses of Unilever, in 2023, a year subsequent to this.
Priya has an MBA in marketing from Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune, and a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounts & Statistics) degree from Sydenham College, Mumbai. She is also an alumnus of Harvard Business School with a degree in Business Administration and Management.
"Priya has had a phenomenal career in HUL and Unilever," remarked HUL Chairman Nitin Paranjpe, referring to her previous record-setting performance. I have no doubt that she will lead HUL to newer heights because of her excellent leadership record and intimate knowledge of the Indian market.
She will also continue to serve as an international leader in her role on the Unilever Leadership Executive (ULE) and join the Board of Hindustan Unilever, subject to regulatory clearances.
Rohit, who became CEO and MD in 2023, is departing to take up new professional and personal challenges. He navigated HUL through tough market conditions over the course of his time there, including a sluggish pick-up in discretionary expenditure and subdued urban demand. In spite of such difficult circumstances, he is said to have led the company towards volume-led growth.
