In a landmark move, Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) has announced the appointment of Priya Nair as its new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, marking the first time a woman will helm India’s largest FMCG company. Her five-year tenure will officially begin on August 1, 2025, following the retirement of current CEO Rohit Jawa on July 31.
Priya Nair’s association with HUL goes back to 1995, when she joined as a Consumer Insights Manager. Over the years, she played pivotal roles in driving the growth of many household brands. By 1998, she was Brand Manager for marquee products including Dove, Rin, and Comfort. She swiftly climbed the leadership ladder-becoming Marketing Manager by 2004 and later General Manager in 2007.
Her career trajectory reflects a deep understanding of Indian consumers and a consistent record of delivering results. In 2009, she was appointed General Manager overseeing HUL’s Western Region operations.
Global leadership at Unilever
Beyond India, Ms Nair has held prominent global positions. In 2022, she took over as Global Chief Marketing Officer for Beauty & Wellbeing at Unilever, where she led global strategies across skin care, hair care, prestige beauty, and health & wellbeing categories-a combined business worth over €12 billion (approximately ₹1.08 lakh crore).
Her most recent role as President, Beauty & Wellbeing, saw her spearheading innovation, sustainability, and brand growth across Unilever’s vast portfolio.
Educational background and early life
Priya Nair was born in Kolhapur to Malayalee parents and grew up in Mumbai. She pursued a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounts and Statistics from Sydenham College, Mumbai. She later completed her MBA in Marketing from Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune. In her professional journey, she also attended an advanced management program at Harvard Business School, further sharpening her leadership skills.
Personal life and recognition
Currently based in London, Priya Nair is married and has a daughter. HUL Chairman Nitin Paranjpe praised her appointment, stating, “Priya has had an outstanding career in HUL and Unilever. Her deep knowledge of the Indian market and proven leadership make her the right person to take HUL to the next level of performance.”
Her appointment comes at a time when consumer preferences in India are rapidly evolving, and HUL is sharpening its focus on innovation and digital transformation.
With Priya Nair at the helm, HUL is expected to deepen its push into beauty, wellbeing, and sustainability, while expanding its digital footprint. Her leadership is seen as a significant step towards gender diversity in Indian corporate leadership.
