Priya Nair Named First‑Ever Female MD & CEO of Hindustan Unilever, Takes Charge from August

Priya Nair Appointed as New CEO & MD of Hindustan Unilever – A Historic Moment

Date: July 11, 2025
By: [The Ayodhya Times ]

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In a groundbreaking move, Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) has announced the appointment of Priya Nair as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director (MD). She will officially take charge from August 1, 2025, becoming the first woman ever to lead the company in this role.

✅ A Big Milestone for HUL

Priya Nair’s appointment is a major step not only for HUL but also for corporate India. She brings with her nearly 30 years of experience within the company. Starting her journey as a management trainee in 1995, she has risen through the ranks with hard work, leadership, and a strong understanding of consumer needs.

She takes over the position from Rohit Jawa, who has served as CEO and MD since 2023. Mr. Jawa will retire from the role on July 31, 2025, after an impressive 37-year career with Unilever.

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👩‍💼 Who is Priya Nair?

Priya Nair is known for her leadership in areas like marketing, innovation, and business transformation. Here’s a quick look at her journey:

• Joined HUL in 1995 as a management trainee
• Led various divisions, including Home Care and Beauty & Personal Care
• In 2022, she became Global Chief Marketing Officer at Unilever
• Since 2023, she has been serving as the President of Beauty & Wellbeing, Unilever’s fastest-growing business unit
• This division is worth around €12–13 billion, showing her ability to manage large-scale business

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🎓 Education Background

• Bachelor’s in Commerce – Sydenham College, Mumbai
• MBA – Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune
• Also completed executive programs at Harvard Business School, USA

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📊 Market Reaction

Following the announcement, HUL’s stock price rose sharply, going up by over 4% in early trading. This clearly shows the market’s confidence in Priya Nair’s leadership and future vision for the company.

Experts believe her deep understanding of the Indian market and global business will help HUL grow even stronger in the coming years.

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💬 What This Means for the Industry

With this historic appointment, Priya Nair becomes one of the few women to lead a top Indian company. Her leadership is expected to inspire more women to aim for leadership roles in the corporate world.

This move also reflects Unilever’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and gender equality at the highest levels of management.

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