On July 10, 2025, Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), one of India’s biggest companies, announced a historic change. Priya Nair was appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director (MD). She will take charge on August 1, 2025. This is a big moment because Priya is the first woman to lead HUL in its 92-year history. Her journey is inspiring. She worked hard for nearly 30 years to reach this position. This article tells the story of Priya Nair, her life, her education, and her rise to become a top leader.
Early Life And Education
Priya Nair was born in Mumbai, India. She grew up in a simple family. Her parents taught her the value of hard work. As a young girl, she loved learning. She was curious and always asked questions. This curiosity helped her later in life. Priya went to Sydenham College in Mumbai. There, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce. She studied accounts and statistics. After that, she wanted to learn more about business. So, she joined the Symbiosis Institute of Business Management in Pune. She completed her MBA in Marketing. She also attended a special management program at Harvard Business School. These studies gave her strong knowledge. They prepared her for a big career.
Priya Nair Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Salary, Net Worth, Husband
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Priya Nair |
| Date of Appointment as CEO | Announced on July 10, 2025; Effective from August 1, 2025 |
| Company | Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) |
| Role | Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director (MD) |
| Historic Milestone | First woman CEO in HUL’s 92-year history |
| Birthplace | Mumbai, India |
| Education | - Bachelor’s in Commerce (Accounts and Statistics), Sydenham College, Mumbai - MBA in Marketing, Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune - Management Program, Harvard Business School |
| Career Start | Joined Hindustan Unilever (then Hindustan Lever) in 1995 |
| Initial Role | Management Trainee in Sales and Marketing |
| Key Roles at HUL | - Executive Director, Home Care (2014–2020) - Executive Director, Beauty and Personal Care (2020–2022) |
| Global Roles at Unilever | - Global Chief Marketing Officer, Beauty and Wellbeing (2022) - President, Beauty and Wellbeing (2023–2025) |
| Major Achievements | - Led growth of HUL’s Home Care brands like Rin and Surf Excel - Strengthened Beauty brands like Dove and Lux - Grew Unilever’s €13 billion Beauty and Wellbeing business - Launched award-winning campaign “Kan Khajura Tesan” |
| Leadership Style | - Focus on purpose-led work - Emphasis on sustainability and digital growth - Team-oriented and innovative |
| Challenges as CEO | - Reviving HUL’s growth amid slow sales - Competing with new digital-first brands - Meeting customer demands for quality and value |
| Personal Life | - Married to Manmohan (entrepreneur) - Has a 13-year-old daughter named Mehak |
| Inspirational Qualities | - Lifelong learner - Hardworking and curious - Role model for women in leadership |
| Impact | - HUL shares rose 4-5% after her appointment - Inspires gender equality and young professionals in India |
| Tenure as CEO | Appointed for five years, until July 31, 2030 |
| Other Roles | - Will join HUL’s board (subject to approval) - Remains part of Unilever’s global leadership team |
Starting at Hindustan Unilever
Priya Nair began her career in 1995. She joined Hindustan Unilever, then called Hindustan Lever. She started as a young manager. Her job was in sales and marketing. She worked on brands that millions of Indians use every day. These included products like Dove soap, Rin detergent, and Comfort fabric softener. Priya loved her work. She understood what Indian customers wanted. She learned how to make products better. Her hard work and smart ideas made her stand out. She was not afraid to try new things. This helped her grow in the company.
Rising Through the Ranks
Priya’s career at HUL was full of success. She took on many roles. Each role was a new challenge. From 2014 to 2020, she was the Executive Director of Home Care at HUL. She led brands like Rin and Surf Excel. Under her leadership, these brands grew stronger. She made the home care business very successful. Then, from 2020 to 2022, she became the Executive Director of Beauty and Personal Care. She worked on brands like Dove and Lux. Priya brought new ideas to these brands. She focused on making products that customers loved. Her work helped HUL earn more money.
In 2022, Priya got a bigger role. She moved to London to work for Unilever, HUL’s parent company. She became the Global Chief Marketing Officer for Beauty and Wellbeing. This was a huge step. She was one of the first Indian women to join Unilever’s global leadership team. In 2023, she became the President of Beauty and Wellbeing. This part of Unilever makes products like shampoos, skin creams, and health items. It is worth €13 billion and works in over 20 countries. Priya’s leadership made this business grow fast. She showed the world her talent.
Becoming CEO of Hindustan Unilever
In 2025, HUL faced tough times. The company had slow growth. New brands were competing hard. Customers were changing how they shop. HUL needed a strong leader. Priya Nair was the perfect choice. On July 10, 2025, HUL announced that Priya would become the CEO and MD. She will replace Rohit Jawa, who stepped down on July 31, 2025. Rohit led HUL for two years. He decided to explore new opportunities. Priya’s appointment is for five years, until July 31, 2030. She will also join HUL’s board, if approved. She will stay part of Unilever’s global leadership team.
HUL’s Chairman, Nitin Paranjpe, praised Priya. He said she has a great career at HUL and Unilever. He believes her deep knowledge of the Indian market will help HUL grow. Priya’s appointment is special. She is the first woman to lead HUL in its long history. This is a proud moment for women in India. It shows that hard work can break barriers. Priya is ready to lead HUL through tough times. She wants to make the company stronger.
Priya’s Leadership Style
Priya Nair is known for her unique leadership. She believes in purpose-led work. This means making products that help people and the planet. She focuses on sustainability. For example, she worked on making HUL products eco-friendly. She also believes in digital growth. She used online platforms to sell products better. Priya understands Indian customers. She knows they want quality and value. Her ideas, like premium products, helped HUL attract richer customers. She also led campaigns like “Kan Khajura Tesan,” a mobile marketing idea that won awards at Cannes Lions.
Priya is a lifelong learner. She says learning never stops. This helped her grow in her career. She also believes in teamwork. She listens to her team and values their ideas. Her ability to connect with people makes her a great leader. She is not just a boss; she inspires others. Her story shows that anyone can achieve big dreams with hard work.
Challenges Ahead
Priya Nair’s new role is not easy. HUL is India’s largest FMCG company. It makes everyday products like soaps, shampoos, and foods. But the market is changing. New brands are growing fast. Online shopping is popular. Customers want new things. HUL has faced slow sales and pressure on profits. Priya must solve these problems. She needs to make HUL’s products more exciting. She also has to compete with digital-first brands. Analysts believe Priya can do this. They say her experience will help HUL grow again. They trust her to bring new ideas.
Priya’s global experience is a big advantage. She knows how to build brands worldwide. She also understands India’s unique market. This mix makes her strong. She plans to focus on premium products. She wants to use technology to reach more customers. Sustainability will also be a priority. Priya aims to make HUL a leader in green products. Her vision is to make HUL a company that customers love and trust.
Personal Life and Inspiration
Priya Nair is not just a business leader. She is also a family person. She is married to Manmohan, an entrepreneur. They have a 13-year-old daughter named Mehak. Priya’s family keeps her grounded. Her mother played a big role in her life. She taught Priya to work with purpose. This lesson shaped Priya’s career. She believes in doing work that makes a difference. Her story inspires many young women in India. It shows that women can lead big companies.
Priya’s journey is a lesson for everyone. She started as a trainee. She worked hard for 30 years. She never gave up. Her education and skills helped her grow. But her passion and learning attitude made her a star. She is a role model for young Indians. Her story proves that dreams can come true with effort.
Impact on HUL India
Priya Nair’s appointment is big news. HUL’s shares rose by 4-5% after the announcement. Investors are excited about her leadership. They believe she can make HUL stronger. Her role as the first woman CEO is historic. It shows progress in gender equality. HUL is known as a “CEO factory.” It has produced many great leaders. Priya is one of them. Her success will inspire more women to aim high.
In India, Priya’s story is a beacon of hope. Many young people dream of leading big companies. Priya shows it is possible. She started with small steps. She worked hard and learned every day. Now, she leads one of India’s biggest companies. Her journey encourages others to follow their dreams.
Conclusion
Priya Nair’s rise to CEO of Hindustan Unilever is a story of grit and talent. She joined HUL in 1995 as a young manager. She worked on brands that touch millions of lives. She led home care and beauty businesses. She grew Unilever’s global beauty division. Now, on August 1, 2025, she will lead HUL as its first woman CEO. Her education, experience, and vision make her a strong leader. She faces challenges but is ready to tackle them. Priya’s story is not just about success. It is about breaking barriers and inspiring others. She is a true leader for India’s future.