On August 1, 2025, Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) will see a historic shift in leadership as Priya Nair takes charge as its Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director. This appointment, covering a five‑year tenure through July 2030, makes her the first woman to hold this pivotal role in one of India’s largest fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) giants.
Priya succeeds Rohit Jawa, who is stepping down on July 31, 2025, following a distinguished 37‑year career with Unilever and a two‑year term as HUL’s CEO & MD. Under his leadership, HUL embraced the ASPIRE growth strategy, building transformative portfolio and channel evolution.
This leadership refresh also brings Priya back to India from London, where she currently oversees Unilever’s Beauty & Well‑Being division—a €13 billion powerhouse spanning hair, skin, prestige beauty, health, and wellness.
In this article, we track Priya’s impressive journey from management trainee in 1995 to global business leader, unpack her leadership qualities, examine HUL’s path forward, and address key questions about this landmark transition.
Table of Contents
1. Unpacking the Appointment
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| July 10, 2025 | HUL officially announces Priya’s appointment and Rohit Jawa’s successor arrangement |
| July 31, 2025 | Rohit Jawa steps down after steering HUL for two years |
| August 1, 2025 | Priya Nair begins her five‑year term as CEO & MD, pending shareholder approval |
This marks a major milestone: the first time a woman has led HUL—an Indian subsidiary of Unilever that serves over 700 million consumers across food, personal, and home care categories.
2. Priya Nair’s Professional Journey
Early Days at HUL
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Started in 1995 in sales and marketing roles covering Home Care and Beauty & Personal Care.
Strategic Leadership
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Executive Director, Home Care (2014–2020): Led business turnaround and cost transformation.
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Executive Director, Beauty & Personal Care (2020–2022): Drove growth across major global brands.
Global Roles
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Global Chief Marketing Officer, Beauty & Well‑Being: Focused on digital transformation, global innovation, and brand equity.
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President, Beauty & Well‑Being (since 2023): Oversees a €13 billion business across 20+ countries as part of the Unilever Leadership Executive.
Education
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Bachelor’s in Commerce from Sydenham College; MBA from Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune; Executive Education at Harvard Business School.
3. Rohit Jawa’s Leadership Legacy
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Joined Unilever 1988; helmed operations in China and the Philippines, and North Asia.
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Became HUL CEO & MD in June 2023, implementing ASPIRE—focusing on portfolio streamlining, channel modernization, and volume‑led growth.
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Under his watch, FY25 saw a 2% revenue rise to ₹60,680 crore, with PAT up 5% to ₹10,644 crore, despite sluggish urban demand.
Chairman Nitin Paranjpe lauded Rohit’s contributions and welcomed Priya, citing her stellar track record and in-depth market knowledge.
4. What Priya Nair Brings to HUL
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Institutional wisdom: Nearly 30 years with the company in diverse roles .
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Transformation expertise: Proven track record in turning around businesses like Home Care.
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Digital-first marketing: Experience driving social‑first and purpose-led campaigns globally.
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Global leadership: Balanced regional and global perspectives, essential for future growth.
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Sustainability ethos: Aligned with Unilever’s goals of responsible business and supply‑chain stewardship.
5. Strategic Outlook for HUL
With Priya at the helm, the company is expected to push forward on several fronts:
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Portfolio premiumization – Expanding presence in health, beauty, and wellness, building on her strengths.
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E-commerce acceleration – Scaling digital sales and influencer-driven innovation.
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Purpose-led branding – Deepening sustainability efforts aligned with Unilever’s Planet & People commitments.
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Emerging categories – Growth in sectors like personal wellness, supplements, and clean beauty.
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People & culture – Continued focus on gender diversity and leadership development, following Unilever’s global footprint.
6. HUL at a Glance
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Founded: 1933; HQ: Mumbai; ~27,764 employees
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Core segments: Home care, personal care, foods, beverages
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FY25 performance: Revenue ₹60,680 crore (+2%), PAT ₹10,644 crore (+5%)
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Parent: Unilever (61.9% ownership)
7. Breaking the Glass Ceiling
Priya is the first woman CEO & MD in HUL’s history, following earlier female leaders like Leena Nair (now Global CEO at Chanel).
Her promotion is both symbolic and tactical—positioned to strengthen gender representation and draw on inclusive leadership to spur innovation and employee engagement.
8. Challenges & Opportunities Ahead
| Opportunity | Description |
|---|---|
| Urban slowdown | Consumer demand remains subdued; need strategic premiumization |
| Retail transformation | Navigating digital vs. traditional channels |
| Sustainability shifts | Aligning packaging and supply chains with ESG goals |
| Talent retention | Building the leadership pipeline while retaining top teams |
| Global integration | Balancing India’s priorities within Unilever’s global framework |
Priya’s combined track record in transformation, brand-building, and digital will be tested in navigating these challenges.
Conclusion
Priya Nair’s ascent to CEO & MD marks both a milestone in gender representation and a strategic reinforcement for Hindustan Unilever. With nearly three decades at the company, global leadership exposure, and a robust track record in driving transformation and brand growth, she is well-positioned to tackle HUL’s next phase of growth.
Her leadership comes at a crucial time—India’s FMCG landscape is evolving with digital penetration, urban demand shifts, and heightened sustainability expectations. As she transitions from global roles back to India, the challenge lies in aligning global best practices with local realities, empowering teams, and delivering stakeholder value.
With Priya taking the reins, HUL is poised to enter a new era—one that blends innovation, inclusivity, and impact-driven growth.
FAQs
Q1. When will Priya Nair’s tenure begin?
A1. Priya takes over as CEO & MD on August 1, 2025, pending standard shareholder and regulatory approvals.
Q2. Who did she replace?
A2. She succeeds Rohit Jawa, who steps down on July 31, 2025, after serving since June 2023 .
Q3. Is she the first woman HUL CEO?
A3. Yes—Priya is the first female CEO & MD in Hindustan Unilever’s history .
Q4. What divisions did she lead before?
A4. She led Home Care, Beauty & Personal Care, served as Global CMO, and has been President of Beauty & Well‑Being since 2023 .
Q5. What are her qualifications?
A5. Commerce graduate from Sydenham College, MBA from Symbiosis Pune, plus executive training at Harvard Business School .
Q6. What is her global experience?
A6. On the Unilever Leadership Executive, she oversees a €13 billion global business across hair, skin, health & beauty .
Q7. What was Rohit Jawa known for?
A7. He launched the ASPIRE strategy at HUL and delivered competitive growth amid challenging conditions .
Q8. What’s next under Priya’s leadership?
A8. Expect enhanced premiumization, digital growth, sustainability initiatives, and talent development aligned with Unilever’s global roadmap.