In a move that marks a defining moment in Indian corporate history, Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) has announced Priya Nair as its next Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director. She will officially assume the role on 1 August 2025, following the departure of current CEO Rohit Jawa, who steps down on 31 July.

Nitin Paranjpe, the Chairman of HUL, expressed his confidence in Ms Nair’s appointment and said: “Priya has had an outstanding career in HUL and Unilever. I am certain that with her deep understanding of the Indian market and excellent track record, Priya will take HUL to the next level of performance.”

The announcement is more than a routine leadership handover, it is historic. For the first time since its founding in 1933, a woman will be at the helm of HUL’s leadership. Priya Nair’s elevation signals both continuity and transformation: continuity, because of her three-decade journey within the Unilever ecosystem; and transformation, because of what her appointment represents for the future of executive leadership in India.

Nair currently serves as the President of Beauty & Wellbeing at Unilever, where she leads a €13 billion global business portfolio that spans skincare, haircare, health supplements and prestige beauty across more than 20 countries. Based in London, she is also a member of the Unilever Leadership Executive. Upon her return to India, she will join the HUL Board, subject to necessary approvals.

Priya Nair’s career at a glance: 

When Priya Nair first started working at HUL, she worked in sales and marketing roles for brands such as Dove, Rin, Comfort and a few others. Her work in the sales and marketing arena spanned from 1995-2012, adding a wealth of experience to her background. She has since held a range of integral leadership roles at HUL such as:

2012: HUL Management Board, Beauty & Personal Care

2014–2020: Executive Director, Home Care, South Asia

2020–2022: Executive Director, Beauty & Personal Care, HUL

2022: Global CMO, Beauty & Wellbeing, Unilever

2024: Business Group President, Beauty & Wellbeing.

In 2025, after working for 30 years at HUL in various roles, Priya Nair will assume the position of CEO and Managing Director at HUL.

What makes Priya Nair an exceptional leader: 

• In 2024, she was named Business Group President for beauty and Wellbeing, where she handled a €13 billion portfolio across 20 markets.
• She has served as an Independent Director on Indian company boards, sat on ASCI and worked closely with industry forums like MMA India.
• During her three-decade-long career, she has led popular brands such as Vaseline, Dove, Sunsilk, and Rin. She made these brands a household staple through her highly effective marketing strategies. According to media reports, she has also contributed to the growth of Pepsodent, Close up and Axe while she was the General manager for Oral Care and Deodorants.
• Among her notable initiatives, Nair played a key role in developing Kan Khajura Tesan, a mobile radio platform designed to reach rural audiences in India with limited media access. The campaign earned international acclaim, winning three Gold Lions at Cannes in 2014 and securing the top spot on the Warc 100 rankings in 2015.

Priya Nair’s leadership has earned recognition both within India and internationally. She has been featured on Fortune India’s Most Powerful Women in Business list multiple times since 2018 and was named among Business Today’s Most Influential Women in Business in 2023. Her work leading Unilever’s beauty and personal care business also earned her a place in WWD’s Top 50 Women in Global Beauty, which highlights leaders driving growth and innovation in the beauty sector.

Besides her professional achievements, Ms Nair also has a wealth of educational qualifications that strengthen her leadership profile. She completed her Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) in Accounts and Statistics from Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics in 1992. After completing her B.Com., she pursued an MBA in Marketing from the Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune in 1994, before joining HUL in 1995. She even pursued an Executive Leadership Program at Harvard, driven by a personal commitment to continuous learning.

Priya Nair’s appointment as CEO brings extensive experience and leadership to Hindustan Unilever. With her deep knowledge of the company and the market, she is well positioned to lead HUL through upcoming challenges and opportunities, strengthening its focus on growth and innovation.