New Delhi: Priya Nair will be heading HUL as the new managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO), succeeding Rohit Jawa, who will be stepping down from the top post on 31 July.
Nair, 53, will become the first woman chief at this major consumer.
After leading HUL for two years and having spent over 35 years in the company, Jawa, 59, would now “pursue the next chapter of his professional journey’’, according to a statement.
As the president of beauty and wellness at Unilever in London, Nair is in charge of a €13 billion portfolio that spans more than 20 countries and consists of prestige beauty, hair care, skin care and health and wellness products. Subject to the required clearances, she will continue to serve on the Unilever Leadership Executive and join the board at HUL
In 2022, she was among the first few women of Indian descent to hold the post of Unilever Leadership Executive worldwide.
She began working at Unilever in 1995 and has held a variety of positions throughout the years, including those in home care, beauty and wellness, and sales and marketing.
“Her significant contributions led her to become the executive director, home care, HUL between 2014 and 2020, thereafter, the executive director, beauty & personal care, HUL from 2020 to 2022,†the company statement said. Subsequently, Nair became the global chief marketing officer, beauty and wellbeing at Unilever.
“Since 2023, Priya has had a successful tenure as president of beauty and wellbeing, one of Unilever’s fastest growing businesses,†the statement noted.
Nitin Paranjpe, chairman at HUL, said: “On behalf of the board of HUL, I would like to thank Rohit for leading the business through tough market conditions and strengthening its foundations for success.’’ The company took decisive actions to sharpen the portfolio and further stepped up its market leadership over the last two years, he said.
Nair has had an outstanding career in HUL and Unilever, Paranjpe said. “I’m certain that with her deep understanding of the Indian market and excellent track record, Priya will take HUL to the next level of performance,†he said.
