In a landmark move for India’s corporate landscape, Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), the country’s largest fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) company, has appointed Priya Nair as its Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, effective August 1, 2025. Nair, a seasoned Unilever veteran with nearly three decades of experience, will become the first woman to lead HUL in its 92-year history. She succeeds Rohit Jawa, who will step down on July 31, 2025, to pursue new personal and professional opportunities. This transition marks a significant milestone, reflecting HUL’s commitment to diversity and its strategic vision for navigating India’s evolving consumer market.
A Historic Appointment
Priya Nair’s appointment as CEO and MD is a historic first for HUL, a company renowned for its iconic brands like Dove, Rin, Sunsilk, and Lipton. Effective August 1, 2025, Nair will assume leadership for a five-year term, joining the HUL Board (subject to regulatory approvals) while continuing her role on the Unilever Leadership Executive (ULE). Her ascent to the top role underscores HUL’s legacy of fostering women leaders, following in the footsteps of figures like Leena Nair, now global CEO of Chanel, and Prabha Narasimhan, MD of Colgate-Palmolive India.
HUL Chairman Nitin Paranjpe praised Nair’s track record, stating, “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.” Her appointment comes at a pivotal time as HUL navigates challenges such as muted urban demand, rising competition from local and international players, and a growing emphasis on sustainability and digital innovation in India’s FMCG sector.
Priya Nair’s Journey with HUL and Unilever
Priya Nair, born in Kolhapur to Malayalee parents and educated in Mumbai, joined HUL in 1995 after earning a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounts and Statistics from Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics (1987–1992) and an MBA in Marketing from Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune (1992–1994). She later completed an executive leadership program at Harvard Business School, enhancing her strategic and leadership capabilities.
Over her 30-year tenure with HUL and Unilever, Nair has held pivotal roles across sales and marketing in home care, beauty, and personal care segments. Her career highlights include:
- 1995–2012: Served in various sales and marketing roles at HUL, managing brands like Dove, Rin, Comfort, and Sunsilk, and developing deep consumer insights in India’s diverse market.
- 2012: Appointed to the HUL Management Board, leading Beauty & Personal Care, where she drove growth for flagship brands.
- 2014–2020: Served as Executive Director, Home Care for South Asia, turning around the business through sustainability initiatives and cost efficiencies.
- 2020–2022: Led as Executive Director, Beauty & Personal Care for HUL, strengthening brand equity and innovation.
- 2022–2023: Appointed Global Chief Marketing Officer, Beauty & Wellbeing at Unilever, where she pioneered social-first marketing strategies and influencer-driven campaigns to appeal to younger, digitally savvy consumers.
- 2023–Present: As President, Beauty & Wellbeing at Unilever, Nair oversees a €13 billion portfolio across hair care, skincare, prestige beauty, and health & wellbeing brands in over 20 markets, one of Unilever’s fastest-growing segments.
Nair’s expertise in blending local market insights with global strategies has positioned her as a transformative leader. Her work as Global CMO included repositioning Unilever’s beauty brands for digital-native consumers, scaling influencer-led innovation, and launching global campaigns that emphasized purpose-driven branding. Her return to HUL is seen as a strategic move to drive innovation, digital acceleration, and sustainable growth in a price-sensitive yet aspirational Indian market.
Rohit Jawa’s Tenure and Legacy
Rohit Jawa, who assumed the role of CEO and MD in June 2023, will step down after a two-year tenure marked by steady, volume-led growth despite challenging market conditions. Jawa, with a 37-year career at Unilever, introduced the ‘ASPIRE’ strategy, focusing on portfolio transformation and tapping high-growth demand spaces. His leadership strengthened HUL’s market position, with decisive actions to sharpen its portfolio amid muted urban demand and slow recovery in discretionary categories.
Paranjpe acknowledged Jawa’s contributions, stating, “On behalf of the Board of HUL, I would like to thank Rohit for leading the business through tough market conditions and strengthening its foundations for success.” Jawa’s previous roles included Executive Vice President, North Asia, and Chair of Unilever China and Unilever Philippines, where he achieved significant success. His departure is described as a mutual agreement with the board to pursue new opportunities.
Market and Public Reaction
The announcement of Nair’s appointment has generated significant buzz, with HUL shares rising nearly 4% on July 11, 2025, reflecting investor confidence in her leadership. Posts on X highlight the historic nature of her appointment, with users like @MorningContext noting, “This marks a historic milestone for India’s largest FMCG company, as Nair will be the first woman to hold the top position at HUL.” Others, such as @AshVerma111, emphasized her 30-year journey with HUL, underscoring her deep expertise.
However, some X users expressed caution, with @MarketWatcher9 stating, “Great move for HUL, but Nair faces a tough road with competition from local players and digital disruption. Hope she can keep up Jawa’s growth momentum.” This reflects the broader challenges Nair will face, including navigating a market with rising living costs, sluggish wage gains, and competition from agile, local FMCG brands.
Strategic Challenges and Opportunities
Nair’s leadership comes at a critical juncture for HUL, which commands a vast portfolio of over 400 brands, including Dove, Knorr, Lipton, and Surf, with a significant presence in developing markets. The FMCG sector in India is grappling with a slowdown in urban demand, a push for premiumization, and rising rural growth, requiring a delicate balance of affordability and aspiration. Nair’s experience in digital transformation and sustainability—key pillars of Unilever’s Sustainable Living Plan—positions her to address these challenges.
Her playbook, rooted in purpose-led leadership and consumer-centric innovation, will be crucial. As noted by The Economic Times, “Nair’s instinct for storytelling, local nuance, and future-facing growth might just be what HUL needs right now.” She is expected to leverage HUL’s ‘ASPIRE’ strategy to further transform its portfolio, focusing on high-growth categories like premium beauty, health, and sustainable products, while maintaining competitiveness in price-sensitive segments.
Broader Implications for Indian Corporate Leadership
Nair’s appointment adds to the growing presence of women in India’s C-suite, joining the ranks of trailblazers like Leena Nair and Prabha Narasimhan. It signals a shift toward gender diversity in corporate India, particularly in the FMCG sector, which has historically been male-dominated at the highest levels. Her deep understanding of Indian consumers, combined with global expertise, makes her uniquely suited to steer HUL through a market demanding sustainability, digital savvy, and local relevance.
As Nair prepares to take the helm, her leadership will be closely watched as a benchmark for how global corporations adapt to India’s dynamic consumer landscape. Her ability to balance HUL’s scale with the agility of a startup will be critical in maintaining its dominance in a competitive market.
Conclusion
Priya Nair’s appointment as HUL’s first woman CEO and MD is a historic milestone, reflecting her remarkable 30-year journey with the company and Unilever’s commitment to fostering diverse leadership. With a proven track record in transforming brands and driving growth, Nair is poised to lead HUL into its next phase of innovation and sustainability. As Rohit Jawa steps down after a successful tenure, the transition marks a new chapter for HUL, with Nair’s leadership expected to shape the future of one of India’s most iconic companies. The FMCG giant, under her stewardship, is set to navigate the complexities of India’s consumer market with a blend of global vision and local insight.
Last Updated on Friday, July 11, 2025 2:07 pm by Lok Ram
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