Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) has announced a major leadership change, with industry veteran and company stalwart Priya Nair set to take over as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director effective August 1, 2025. She will succeed Rohit Jawa, who will step down from the position on July 31.
Currently the President of Beauty & Wellbeing at Unilever, Priya Nair will also join the HUL Board, subject to necessary approvals, and will continue to be a part of the Unilever Leadership Executive (ULE), the company’s global decision-making body.
Priya Nair’s appointment marks a significant milestone not just for HUL, but also for the broader Indian corporate landscape. With nearly three decades at the company, she brings deep institutional knowledge and a track record of delivering consistent growth across categories and geographies.
Nair joined HUL in 1995 and has held several leadership roles in sales and marketing across Home Care, Beauty & Wellbeing, and Personal Care businesses. Between 2014 and 2020, she served as Executive Director, Home Care, HUL, followed by a stint as Executive Director, Beauty & Personal Care from 2020 to 2022. She then moved to a global role as Unilever’s Chief Marketing Officer for Beauty & Wellbeing, before being elevated to President of the division in 2023.
Her most recent assignment saw her lead one of Unilever’s fastest-growing businesses globally, contributing significantly to brand innovation, digital transformation, and sustainability.
Rohit Jawa, who has served as CEO and MD of HUL since June 2023, will step down at the end of July 2025. HUL said in its release that Jawa will be “pursuing the next chapter in his personal and professional journey.”
The company is expected to continue its strategic focus on premiumisation, innovation, and sustainability under Nair’s leadership, especially in the context of evolving consumer preferences and increasing digitalisation.