Who’s Priya Nair, first lady CEO of Hindustan Unilever? – Firstpost

For the primary time in its 92-year historical past, Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) has named a girl as its subsequent Chief Govt Officer and Managing Director.

Priya Nair will take cost after Rohit Jawa steps down on July 31, 2025.

Her new function will start on August 1, 2025.

She can even develop into a member of the HUL Board, topic to the required approvals, and can proceed to be a part of the Unilever Management Govt (ULE).

However who’s Priya Nair?

Let’s have a look:

Who’s Priya Nair?

She has been named the following Managing Director and CEO of Hindustan Unilever, changing Rohit Jawa.

Nair presently leads a enterprise value 13 billion euros as President of Unilever’s Magnificence and Wellbeing division, managing hair and skincare manufacturers reminiscent of Dove, Sunsilk, Clear and Vaseline.

HUL Chairman Nitin Paranjpe mentioned in a press release, “Priya has had an excellent profession in HUL and Unilever. I’m sure that along with her deep understanding of the Indian market and wonderful observe file, Priya will take HUL to the following degree of efficiency.”

So, who’s she?

Nair was born in Kolhapur to Malayalee dad and mom and raised in Mumbai, the place she additionally accomplished her schooling.

She earned a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounts and Statistics from Sydenham Faculty, Mumbai. She later pursued an MBA in Advertising and marketing from Symbiosis Institute of Enterprise Administration, Pune, adopted by a administration course at Harvard Enterprise College.

She joined HUL in 1995 as a Client Insights Supervisor. In 1998, she grew to become Model Supervisor for key merchandise reminiscent of Dove, Rin and Consolation.

By 2004, she was promoted to Advertising and marketing Supervisor. In 2007, she grew to become Normal Supervisor. In 2009, she started overseeing HUL’s western area, in accordance with her LinkedIn profile.

She went on to function Govt Director and CCVP (Buyer Growth, Client and Market Perception, Vice President) for House Care and Magnificence & Private Care in South Asia.

In 2022, she was named World Chief Advertising and marketing Officer for Magnificence & Wellbeing. A yr later, she grew to become President of the division, dealing with a worldwide portfolio value 13 billion euros (Rs 1.08 lakh crore), which incorporates hair care, skincare, Status Health and beauty & wellbeing.

Nair is presently based mostly in London. She is married and has a daughter.

Notably, HUL is a significant Indian fast-moving client items (FMCG) firm, providing merchandise throughout classes reminiscent of private care, meals, drinks and cleansing provides.

This management shift comes as Unilever will increase its deal with India. World CEO Fernando Fernandez not too long ago described India as one of many firm’s two anchor markets, reflecting the “double down on India” technique shared in November 2024.

Progress issues at HUL?

Nair is about to take cost from Rohit Jawa, who’s stepping down earlier than finishing his five-year time period. Since his appointment in June 2023, Jawa has steered HUL via a difficult financial interval.

During the last two years, HUL’s efficiency has been subdued. Its quantity, income and earnings have grown by simply 2 to three per cent yearly.

In accordance with Mint, HUL’s quantity development has stayed beneath 5 per cent over the previous six years.

The corporate can be going through rising competitors from agile startups, particularly within the magnificence and private care area.

In FY2025, HUL reported a turnover of Rs 61,469 crore and a web revenue of Rs 10,644 crore. Its market capitalisation presently stands at Rs 5.66 lakh crore.

Following the announcement of Priya Nair’s appointment as HUL’s first lady CEO, the corporate’s shares jumped almost 5 per cent to Rs 2,518.65 on the BSE.

Between 2014 and 2020, as Govt Director of House Care, Nair led a turnaround that improved the section’s EBIT margins by 570 foundation factors, from 13.1 per cent in FY14 to 18.8 per cent in FY20.

This enchancment additionally helped elevate HUL’s total EBIT margin from 15 per cent to 22.3 per cent.

Along with her five-year time period starting on August 1, 2025, all eyes can be on whether or not Nair can revive development throughout HUL’s extensive portfolio and convey again momentum.