Priya Nair has been appointed as MD and CEO of FMCG giant Hindustan Unilever (HUL), the company informed the exchanges on July 10.
Nair will replace Rohit Jawa, who will step down from the top role at the company on July 31. He has quit to “pursue the next chapter in his personal and professional journey”, the FMCG major said in a statement. Jawa had taken over as the CEO and MD of HUL in 2023.
Nair has been appointed for a term of 5 years with effect from 1st August, 2025 till 31st July, 2030, the company statement said.
“The appointment of Priya Nair as the MD & CEO will be subject to approval of shareholders and other statutory approvals as may be applicable,” the company added in a customary rejoinder.
HUL also informed that Nair will also join the company Board, subject to necessary approvals, and continue to be a member of the Unilever Leadership Executive (ULE).
Before her elevation to the company’s helm, Nair was heading its Beauty & Wellbeing division, a €12 billion business (as per data from HUL).
Nair, a celebrated business leader, has been with Hindustan Unilever since 1995.
The key roles played by Nair in the company over time led her to become the Executive Director, Home Care, HUL, between 2014 and 2020. Then, she took over as the Executive Director of Beauty & Personal Care in 2020, a role she held until 2022.
Since 2023, Nair has had a successful tenure as President of Beauty & Wellbeing, one of Unilever’s fastest-growing businesses.
“In Hindustan Unilever, she led the Beauty & Personal Care and Homecare business. As Head of Homecare, she led the turnaround of the business and the portfolio and cost transformation to build a more sustainable, future-fit business,” the company says in acknowledgement of her career achievements.
HUL Chairman Nitin Paranjpe says, “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.”
