Priya Nair to Become First Woman CEO and MD of Hindustan Unilever from August 1

Introduction
In a landmark leadership transition, Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), India’s largest fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) company, has announced the appointment of Priya Nair as its Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director effective August 1, 2025.

This appointment is significant not only for HUL but for the Indian corporate landscape as Priya Nair will be the first woman to serve as CEO and MD in the company’s rich history spanning over nine decades.

Company Announcement
HUL made the announcement via a regulatory filing, confirming that Rohit Jawa, the current CEO and MD, will step down from his role on July 31, 2025 to pursue the next chapter in his personal and professional journey.

Priya Nair, who is currently the President, Beauty and Well-Being, Unilever, will also join the HUL Board of Directors subject to necessary approvals. She will continue to be a member of the Unilever Leadership Executive, ensuring close alignment between HUL and its parent, Unilever PLC.

“We are delighted to welcome Priya Nair as the next CEO and MD of HUL. She is an outstanding business leader with a deep understanding of our consumers, brands, and markets,” the company said.

Priya Nair’s Career Journey
Priya Nair’s professional journey with Unilever is a testament to consistent excellence, leadership acumen, and commitment to brand building.

• Joined HUL in 1995: She started her career in sales and marketing, developing a strong foundation across diverse categories.

• Executive Director, Home Care (2014–2020): During this period, she oversaw transformational growth and innovation in the Home Care segment, making it one of HUL’s fastest-growing portfolios.

• Executive Director, Beauty & Personal Care (2020–2022): Led strategy for one of HUL’s most profitable categories, navigating the business through pandemic-related shifts in consumer behaviour.

• Global Chief Marketing Officer, Beauty & Well-Being at Unilever: Priya transitioned to the global role, where she managed a $12 billion portfolio across multiple markets, ensuring sustained innovation and brand leadership.

• President, Beauty and Well-Being, Unilever: In her current global role, Priya has been instrumental in advancing Unilever’s strategic focus on premiumisation, sustainability, and digital-first marketing.

Significance of Her Appointment
Priya Nair’s appointment marks a historic first for HUL, signalling the company’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion at the highest level of leadership.

It also reflects the growing recognition of women leaders in Indian business, breaking long-standing barriers in corporate leadership across sectors.

HUL’s decision also aligns with Unilever’s global emphasis on gender parity and nurturing a pipeline of female leadership talent.

Rohit Jawa’s Tenure
Rohit Jawa, who took over as CEO and MD of HUL in 2023, will step down on July 31, 2025. During his over two-year tenure, Jawa delivered volume-led competitive growth despite challenging market conditions.

His key achievements include:

• Launching the ASPIRE strategy: A comprehensive plan to transform HUL’s portfolio and channel strategies to tap into high-growth demand spaces.

• Driving cost discipline while investing in digital capabilities, sustainability, and premiumisation.

• Steering the company through geopolitical, inflationary, and supply-chain challenges, maintaining market leadership in core categories.

“Rohit Jawa’s leadership has ensured HUL remained competitive and agile in an evolving marketplace,” said HUL in its statement.

Market Context
HUL operates in a highly competitive ₹5 trillion Indian FMCG market, with over 50 brands spanning personal care, home care, foods, and refreshments.

Despite inflationary pressures, changing consumer preferences, and intensified competition, HUL has sustained its leadership position through innovation, distribution excellence, and marketing.

Under Unilever’s global strategy, HUL has increasingly focused on:

• Sustainability: Reducing plastic use, carbon emissions, and water consumption.

• Digital Transformation: Expanding ecommerce channels and direct-to-consumer brands.

• Premiumisation: Growing high-margin brands in beauty, wellness, and foods.

Why Priya Nair Is a Strong Choice
Priya Nair is widely respected within Unilever for her brand-building expertise, deep consumer insights, and ability to drive growth even in tough market environments.

Her leadership in Home Care transformed the portfolio with brands like Surf Excel and Vim. In Beauty & Personal Care, she championed premiumisation and sustainability initiatives.

Globally, she has demonstrated an ability to:

• Scale brands across diverse markets

• Innovate with purpose-led marketing

• Build agile, consumer-centric teams

Her appointment is expected to reinforce Unilever’s strategic priorities in India, which remains one of its most important markets globally.

Industry Reaction
Industry experts have welcomed the move as a progressive step by HUL.

• FMCG analysts note that Priya Nair’s blend of local market experience and global leadership is ideal for steering HUL through India’s next phase of consumer evolution.

• Diversity advocates hailed the appointment as an important milestone for gender representation in India Inc’s top management.

“Priya Nair’s appointment sends a strong signal that capability and experience are what matter most,” said an FMCG industry veteran.

HUL’s Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
As Priya Nair prepares to take charge, she will inherit both opportunities and challenges:

Opportunities

• Rural market recovery as income levels stabilise

• Urban premiumisation with growing demand for high-value beauty, wellness, and personal care products

• Digital channels and ecommerce growth

• Sustainability as a differentiator in brand-building

Challenges

• Price wars with competitors like ITC, Dabur, and Patanjali

• Input cost volatility and inflation management

• Regulatory scrutiny on advertising, labelling, and sustainability claims

• Consumer trust amid increasing focus on transparency and ethics

Focus Areas for the New CEO
Based on Unilever’s global direction and HUL’s priorities, Priya Nair is expected to focus on:

• Strengthening brand equity in core categories

• Accelerating digital transformation

• Building supply-chain resilience

• Driving sustainability commitments

• Fostering an inclusive and agile organisational culture

Conclusion
The appointment of Priya Nair as the first woman CEO and MD of Hindustan Unilever Limited is a landmark moment for one of India’s most respected companies.

It represents both continuity and change—retaining HUL’s strong talent culture while signalling an exciting new chapter under a leader with deep expertise, a global perspective, and a proven record of consumer-centric innovation.

As she prepares to take the helm on August 1, 2025, all eyes will be on how she leads HUL through India’s rapidly evolving FMCG landscape, building on its legacy of purpose-led, sustainable, and profitable growth.

For employees, investors, and consumers alike, Priya Nair’s appointment promises to be a transformational milestone in HUL’s journey as a trusted, market-leading, and future-ready FMCG giant.

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