In a landmark move, Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) has appointed Priya Nair as its new Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, making her the first woman to hold the top position in the company’s history. The transition will take effect on August 1, 2025, following the departure of current CEO Rohit Jawa, who steps down after a two-year tenure to pursue new personal and professional opportunities.
Priya Nair, a seasoned Unilever veteran, currently serves as President of Beauty & Wellbeing at Unilever, overseeing a €13 billion portfolio across more than 20 global markets. She began her journey with HUL in 1995 and has held several key roles in sales and marketing across Home Care, Beauty & Personal Care, and Wellbeing divisions. Her leadership has been instrumental in driving innovation and digital transformation within the company.
The board of HUL has approved Nair’s appointment for a five-year term, subject to shareholder and statutory approvals. She will also join the HUL Board and continue as a member of the Unilever Leadership Executive (ULE). Nair’s appointment is being hailed as a progressive step, reflecting HUL’s commitment to diversity and leadership excellence5.
Outgoing CEO Rohit Jawa, who took charge in 2023, is credited with steering the company through challenging market conditions and implementing the ‘ASPIRE’ strategy, which focused on portfolio transformation and channel optimization. Under his leadership, HUL achieved volume-led competitive growth and expanded its footprint in high-growth demand spaces.
Chairman Nitin Paranjpe praised both leaders, stating, “Priya’s deep understanding of the Indian market and her stellar track record make her the ideal choice to lead HUL into its next chapter. We thank Rohit for his invaluable contributions and wish him the very best.