Priya Nair to succeed Rohit Jawa as Hindustan Unilever CEO and MD | Company Business News

New Delhi: In a surprise move, Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) on Thursday announced the appointment of Priya Nair, president, beauty & wellbeing, Unilever, as chief executive officer and managing director of HUL.

Nair, whose appointment comes into effect from 1 August, succeeds Rohit Jawa who spent two years as HUL’s CEO and MD.

Nair will also join the HUL board, subject to necessary approvals, and continue to be a member of the Unilever Leadership Executive (ULE).

Jawa will step down as CEO and MD on 31 July to pursue the next chapter in his personal and professional journey, according to a statement by the company.

Nair joined HUL in 1995 and held several sales and marketing roles across home care, beauty & wellbeing, and personal care businesses. Her 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.

Subsequently, she went on to become the global chief marketing officer, beauty & wellbeing at Unilever.Since 2023, Priya has had a successful tenure as President of Beauty & Wellbeing, one of Unilever’s fastest growing businesses.

Jawa took over as HUL’s managing director & CEO on 27 June, 2023, succeeding Sanjiv Mehta who retired from the company after a tenure of 10 years.

During Jawa’s tenure of over two years, the company delivered volume-led competitive growth. He introduced the ‘ASPIRE’ strategy that is driving the business to transform portfolio and channels towards high-growth demand spaces.

“Rohit has held many notable roles across his successful 37-year career, including Executive Vice President North Asia and Chair Unilever China, and Chair of Unilever Philippines, two of the most important Unilever operations, in which he achieved notable success,” the company said announcing Nair’s appointment.

HUL, which sells soaps, shampoo, tea, and ketchups, reported a turnover of ₹60,680 crore for FY25, up 2% over the year prior with underlying volume growth of 2%. Profit after tax grew 5% to ₹10,644 crore. The FMCG sector has been struggling with subdued urban demand.

Nitin Paranjpe, chairman HUL said, “The company took decisive actions (under Jawa) to sharpen the portfolio and further stepped up its market leadership over the last two years.”