Priya Nair: Pioneering Leadership as HUL’s First Woman CEO

 Priya Nair’s appointment as the first woman CEO and Managing Director of Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), effective August 1, 2025, marks a defining moment in the FMCG industry. With a career spanning nearly 30 years at HUL, Nair has driven transformative growth, from revitalizing the Home Care business with sustainable innovations to leading Unilever’s €12 billion Beauty & Wellbeing portfolio globally. Her strategic vision, rooted in consumer insights and premiumization, has consistently delivered results, earning her a spot on Unilever’s Leadership Executive and recognition as one of India’s most influential businesswomen. Nair’s leadership is poised to shape HUL’s future, blending innovation with market expertise.

Priya Nair, born in 1973, has emerged as a formidable leader in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry, recently making history as the first woman appointed Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), effective August 1, 2025. A graduate with a B.Com from Sydenham College, Mumbai, and an MBA from Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune, Nair’s academic foundation paved the way for a remarkable career spanning nearly three decades.

Nair joined HUL in 1995, initially taking on sales and marketing roles across the Home Care, Beauty & Wellbeing, and Personal Care businesses. Her strategic acumen and consumer-centric approach led to significant achievements, including the turnaround of HUL’s Home Care business through sustainability-led innovation and portfolio premiumization. Notable innovations under her leadership include POND’S with Hexyl-Retinol and Lakmé’s sunstick format, enhancing brand relevance and scientific credibility.

Rising through the ranks, Nair served as Executive Director of Home Care (2014–2020) and Beauty & Personal Care (2020–2022) at HUL before taking on global responsibilities. In 2022, she became Unilever’s Global Chief Marketing Officer for Beauty & Wellbeing, overseeing a €12 billion business. Her leadership drove five consecutive quarters of top-line growth, cementing her reputation as a transformative leader. In 2023, she joined the Unilever Leadership Executive (ULE), becoming the second woman of Indian origin in this prestigious group, following Leena Nair.

Nair’s appointment as HUL’s CEO marks a significant milestone, reflecting her deep understanding of the Indian market and her track record of delivering consistent results. Recognized among India’s most influential women in business, she has also served as an independent director on a publicly listed Indian company’s board and contributed to industry forums like MMA India.

Based in London, Nair is married to Manmohan, an entrepreneur, and they have a daughter, Mehak. An avid painter, reader, and movie enthusiast, she balances her professional commitments with family life. Her leadership is expected to propel HUL to new heights, leveraging her expertise in consumer marketing and innovation to navigate the evolving FMCG landscape.