Priya Nair is set to make history as she prepares to become the first woman Managing Director and CEO of Hindustan Unilever (HUL), taking over from Rohit Jawa in August 2025.
A New Chapter for Hindustan Unilever
Global consumer goods powerhouse Unilever’s Indian arm, Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL), has announced a major leadership change. Priya Nair, currently serving as the Business Group President for Beauty & Wellbeing at Unilever, has been appointed as the new MD and CEO of HUL.
Her five-year term is scheduled to commence on August 1, 2025. This significant appointment makes her the first woman to lead the company, and she will also join the HUL board, subject to necessary approvals.
Rohit Jawa’s Departure
The current MD and CEO, Rohit Jawa, will step down from his position on July 31, 2025. He shared his decision to pursue the “next chapter” in his personal and professional journey, after a remarkable 37-year career with Unilever.
During his tenure of just over two years, Jawa played a crucial role in driving volume-led competitive growth for HUL. He notably introduced the ‘ASPIRE’ strategy, which has been instrumental in transforming the business by focusing on high-growth demand areas.
Priya Nair’s Extensive Journey
Priya Nair brings a wealth of experience to her new role, having joined HUL in 1995. Her career within the company saw her excel in various sales and marketing capacities across Home Care, Beauty & Wellbeing, and Personal Care divisions.
From 2014 to 2020, she served as the Executive Director for Home Care at HUL, followed by a tenure as Executive Director for Beauty & Personal Care from 2020 to 2022. Subsequently, she ascended to the role of Global Chief Marketing Officer for Beauty & Wellbeing at Unilever.
Since 2023, Nair has successfully led the Beauty & Wellbeing division, one of Unilever’s fastest-growing businesses. She holds a Commerce degree from Sydenham College, Mumbai, an MBA from Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune, and has completed executive education at Harvard Business School.
Looking Ahead for HUL
Nitin Paranjpe, Chairman of HUL, extended a warm welcome to Priya Nair, expressing confidence in her leadership. He highlighted her deep understanding of the Indian market and her excellent track record, believing she will elevate HUL to new levels of performance.
HUL reported a strong turnover of Rs 61,469 crore and a net profit of Rs 10,644 crore for the financial year 2025. The company currently holds a market capitalization of Rs 5.66 lakh crore.
- Priya Nair will be the first woman MD & CEO of Hindustan Unilever.
- Her term begins August 1, 2025, taking over from Rohit Jawa.
- Nair has a 30-year career with HUL and Unilever, holding key leadership roles in marketing and business group management.
- Rohit Jawa is stepping down after a 37-year career, having led HUL through a period of strategic growth.
This leadership transition marks an exciting period for HUL as it prepares to embark on its next phase of growth under new direction.
