Priya Nair Named HUL's First Woman CEO

Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) has appointed Priya Nair as its new Managing Director and CEO, effective August 1, 2025, making her the first woman to lead the FMCG giant.Nair, a Symbiosis Institute of Business Management alumna, succeeds Rohit Jawa, who steps down after a two-year tenure marked by the 'Aspire' strategy for volume-led growth.

Nair’s 30-year journey with HUL began in 1995 as a management trainee in consumer insights. She rose through the ranks, managing iconic brands like Dove, Rin, and Comfort, and later leading HUL’s Homecare and Beauty & Personal Care portfolios.

Her innovative leadership shone in initiatives like ‘Kan Khajura Tesan,’ a mobile marketing campaign targeting rural India, which won three Gold Lions at Cannes in 2014.

• Priya Nair Becomes HUL’s First Woman CEO, Marks New Era for FMCG Giant
• HUL Appoints Priya Nair as CEO Effective August 1, Succeeding Rohit Jawa
• Priya Nair Returns to Lead HUL After Global Success at Unilever

In 2022, Nair transitioned to a global role as Unilever’s Chief Marketing Officer for Beauty & Wellbeing, later becoming President of the €12 billion division in 2023. Her return to India to helm HUL reflects her deep understanding of the Indian market and global expertise. HUL Chairman Nitin Paranjpe praised her, stating,“Priya’s outstanding career and track record will take HUL to the next level of performance.”

Nair credits her success to two guiding principles: discovering purpose and embracing lifelong learning. In a past interview, she said, “Finding your purpose gives you strength to navigate corporate volatility.”  Her focus on sustainability and digital innovation, including premiumisation and purpose-led campaigns, has prepared her to steer HUL through a competitive market with new-age rivals and eco-conscious consumers.

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Nair’s appointment marks a milestone for gender diversity in Indian corporate leadership, following the path of other HUL alumni like Leena Nair, now Chanel’s global CEO. As she takes charge, Nair’s blend of local insight and global vision positions her to shape HUL’s future, balancing scale with agility to meet evolving consumer demands.