In a historic turn of events, Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) has announced the appointment of Priya Nair as its future CEO and Managing Director, as a landmark event in the history of the 92-year-old company. She will take charge on August 1, 2025, and will be taking over from Rohit Jawa, who will be resigning on July 31, 2025.
With this appointment, Priya Nair will be the first female to head HUL as its CEO and MD. She will also be added to the HUL Board, subject to regulatory approvals, and remain a member of the Unilever Leadership Executive (ULE).
Nair is currently President, Beauty & Wellbeing at Unilever, one of the fastest-growing global business divisions of the company.
From Brand Manager to Global President: A 30-Year Journey
Nair’s corporate journey at HUL started in 1995. She assumed a series of key leadership positions over the years across home care, beauty, and personal care businesses. She began her career as Consumer Insights Manager and progressed to Brand Manager for key brands such as Dove, Rin, and Comfort.
She then managed marketing for the laundry business and then headed oral care, deodorants, and customer development. Nair has also been General Manager of Customer Development for HUL’s west region and then moved on to executive roles as Executive Director and CCVP for Homecare, and then for Beauty & Personal Care in South Asia.
Her success in India promoted a global rise. She was appointed Global Chief Marketing Officer of Unilever’s Beauty & Wellbeing division in 2022. She became President of the division in 2023, a year later.
Academic Qualifications and Accolades from Leadership
Nair graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from Sydenham College and an MBA in Marketing from Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune. She also spent time at Harvard Business School for advanced management training.
HUL Chairman Nitin Paranjpe applauded her career path, saying, “Priya has had an exceptional career in Unilever and HUL. I do not doubt that with her strong knowledge of the Indian market and superior record, Priya will lead HUL into new heights of performance.”
Rohit Jawa, who has presided over HUL since 2023, is resigning to pursue new personal and professional challenges, the company said.
