Priya Nair Becomes Hindustan Unilever’s First Woman CEO and MD: A Milestone in Indian Corporate Leadership
Hindustan Unilever’s first woman CEO and MD Priya Nair, who has been with HUL for three decades, will take over from Rohit Jawa
In a groundbreaking development for India’s corporate landscape, Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) has announced the elevation of Priya Nair as its first woman Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director. Her appointment, effective 1 August 2025, marks a historic moment in HUL’s 92-year legacy and signals a new era of inclusive leadership and strategic continuity.
The succession follows the departure of current CEO Rohit Jawa, whose tenure concludes on 31 July 2025. With this transition, Nair will also join the HUL Board of Directors, pending approval, further cementing her position among India’s top business leaders and affirming HUL’s commitment to promoting talent and diversity at the highest levels of decision-making.
From Insight to Impact: Priya Nair’s 30-Year Journey at HUL
Priya Nair’s professional journey is a testament to perseverance, vision, and an unwavering belief in consumer-centric innovation. A Symbiosis Institute of Business Management alumna with an executive education from Harvard Business School, Nair began her career at HUL in 1995 as a Consumer Insights Manager, diving deep into consumer behavior and market analytics.
From these formative years, Nair’s rise was marked by consistently impactful roles across marketing, sales, brand development, and global strategy. Her earliest brand management assignments involved leading household names like Dove, Rin, and Comfort, giving her a critical understanding of the emotional and functional needs of Indian consumers.
By 2003, she had taken on the position of Marketing Manager –Surf, Rin, Sunlight, managing products like Surf, Rin, and Sunlight, which are now household staples across India. Her blend of analytical acumen and creative storytelling propelled her into senior leadership, culminating in the position of General Manager – Oral Care and Deodorants between 2007 and 2009, where she steered growth for brands like Pepsodent, Close Up, Axe, and Rexona.
Steady Leadership Across Divisions
Nair’s impact was not limited to brand development. In 2009, she transitioned into a more strategic business role as General Manager – Customer Development, overseeing sales for HUL’s western region and commanding a significant share of the company’s revenue. Her understanding of both consumer and channel strategies made her indispensable to the organization.
The upward trajectory continued with her appointment as Vice President – Detergents in 2012, followed by Executive Director and VP – Homecare in 2014, and then CCVP South Asia – Homecare in 2016. These years saw her focus on product innovation, sustainability, and scaling regional strategies for global application.
In February 2020, Nair took over as Executive Director and Executive VP – South Asia Beauty and Personal Care, a segment that witnessed unprecedented digital transformation and consumer personalization under her leadership.
Her international exposure expanded when she relocated to London in June 2022, assuming the position of Global Chief Marketing Officer – Beauty & Wellbeing for Unilever. The role gave her full global responsibility for the business group, enhancing her strategic depth and broadening her leadership portfolio.
By January 2024, she had been promoted to President – Beauty & Wellbeing, where she continued to lead global efforts in building inclusive brands, driving sustainability, and leveraging digital-first consumer engagement platforms.
A Detailed Career Timeline
Priya Nair’s career progression:
| Year | Role |
|---|---|
| 1995 | Consumer Insights Manager |
| 1997 | Brand Manager – Dove, Rin, Comfort |
| 2003 | Marketing Manager – Laundry (Surf, Rin, Sunlight) |
| 2007 | General Manager – Oral Care and Deodorants |
| 2009 | Brand Lead – Pepsodent, Close Up, Axe, Rexona |
| 2009–2012 | GM – Customer Development (Western Region Sales Head) |
| 2012 | Vice President – Detergents |
| 2014 | Executive Director and VP – Homecare |
| 2016 | Executive Director and CCVP – South Asia Homecare |
| 2020 | Executive Director and EVP – South Asia Beauty & Personal Care |
| 2022 | Global Chief Marketing Officer – Beauty and Wellbeing |
| 2024 | President – Beauty & Wellbeing |
| 2025 | CEO & MD – Hindustan Unilever Limited |
Leadership Built on Values and Vision
Nair’s leadership style is marked by empathetic decision-making, data-informed innovation, and inclusive practices. Her elevation as CEO is seen not just as a strategic move but as a cultural pivot for HUL—a company increasingly focused on gender parity, ethical sourcing, and community-led transformation.
As someone who has seamlessly integrated consumer psychology, marketing excellence, and business strategy, Nair represents the evolving face of Indian leadership. Her commitment to sustainable brands, digital transformation, and workforce development aligns with global business priorities and reflects HUL’s direction for the next decade.
Industry Response and Broader Implications
Industry peers, HR forums, and equity markets have responded to the announcement with enthusiasm. Platforms such as HRKatha congratulated Nair, celebrating the breaking of a long-standing glass ceiling.
More broadly, Nair’s appointment carries symbolic weight for India’s boardrooms. As gender diversity at leadership levels becomes a talking point, her success provides a strong template for empowering women leaders across sectors—especially in an economy where women remain underrepresented at CXO levels.
Her journey also offers a case study for leadership development, long-term succession planning, and the integration of local insight with global scalability—a rare alignment that HUL continues to foster.
Looking Ahead
As Priya Nair prepares to take the helm on 1 August, stakeholders, employees, and industry observers are eager to see how she will shape HUL’s future. Will she champion more consumer-led innovations? Will she continue to build digital-first ecosystems? Most likely—yes, and more.
Her appointment marks not just a milestone for HUL but a moment of celebration for women in leadership, for Indian enterprise, and for those who believe in merit, vision, and the transformative power of inclusive growth.
Congratulations, Priya Nair—your legacy is just beginning. For further insights into the evolving workplace paradigm, visit
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