1. Early Life & Education
Priya Nair, an accomplished marketing leader, hails from Mumbai. She completed her B.Com in Accounts & Statistics from Sydenham College and later earned an MBA in Marketing from the Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies, Pune. To further sharpen her leadership skills, she also attended a program at Harvard Business School.
Her academic background laid a solid foundation for her strategic thinking, creativity, and people-centric approach—qualities that would later define her corporate journey.
2. Beginning Her Journey at HUL
Priya joined Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) in 1995 as a Consumer Insights Manager, a role that focused on understanding Indian consumers at a deep psychological level.
Over time, she handled and grew numerous flagship brands such as:
- Dove
- Rin
- Surf Excel
- Comfort
It was while managing Surf Excel that Priya led the “Daag Acche Hain” campaign—one of India’s most iconic and emotionally resonant marketing ideas. It flipped the perception of stains (daag) from being bad to being symbols of learning and growth. This campaign not only won hearts but also redefined the brand’s value in the Indian market.
3. Rise Through the Ranks
Over nearly three decades, Priya moved up through various roles:
- Brand Manager
- Marketing Director
- General Manager
- Executive Director – Beauty & Personal Care
- CMO (Chief Marketing Officer) at Unilever Global
- President – Beauty & Wellbeing Business, overseeing a €12 billion portfolio globally
This steady rise reflected not just her marketing brilliance but her strong people management skills and commitment to consumer-centric innovation.
4. Key Milestones & Campaigns
- “Kan Khajura Tesan” Campaign:
A revolutionary mobile-based radio campaign targeted at rural India, which earned three Gold Cannes Lions Awards in 2014 and was celebrated globally as an innovation in last-mile digital outreach. - Beauty & Wellbeing Growth:
As global president, Priya was responsible for rejuvenating iconic brands like Lakmé, Dove, and Pond’s on a worldwide scale, blending Indian innovation with global vision. - Sustainability:
Under her leadership, HUL took significant strides in sustainability, especially in the Home Care and Beauty categories.
5. Historic Appointment as CEO of HUL
On July 10, 2025, it was announced that Priya Nair would take over as CEO & Managing Director of HUL from August 1 2025, succeeding Rohit Jawa.
This is historic because:
- She becomes the first woman CEO in HUL’s 92-year history.
- She will lead one of India’s most valuable FMCG companies, with a presence in nearly every Indian household.
The announcement was received positively by the stock market, with HUL’s shares rising over 4%, signaling investor confidence in her leadership.
6. Leadership Style: Two Key Traits
a. Purpose-Driven Leadership
Priya often credits her success to always staying true to her purpose—delivering meaningful impact through her work and staying empathetic towards consumers.
b. Learning Agility
Even after decades at Unilever, she pursued further executive learning at Harvard, showing her belief in constant self-improvement.
7. Breaking Barriers in Indian Corporate World
Priya joins a growing but still limited list of Indian women CEOs at top-tier firms. Her appointment not only breaks gender barriers but also sets an example for thousands of young women dreaming of corporate leadership.
She follows in the footsteps of another trailblazer, Leena Nair (former CHRO of Unilever, now CEO of Chanel), reinforcing HUL’s legacy of building world-class leaders.
✨ Conclusion
Priya Nair’s journey from a brand custodian to the CEO of one of India’s largest and most influential companies is nothing short of extraordinary. The same creative spirit that gave us “Daag Acche Hain” now leads the strategic direction of a multibillion-dollar enterprise.
Her rise signifies what’s possible when passion, empathy, and purpose drive one’s career. As Priya takes the helm at HUL, her story will continue to inspire generations of aspiring leaders across the country.