Priya Nair to be next HUL CEO after Rohit Jawa's 37-yr tenure
Mumbai: Rohit Jawa, Managing Director and CEO of Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL), is stepping down after a remarkable 37-year journey with Unilever, during which he held leadership roles in eight countries, including two of the group’s largest markets — India and China.
Calling it a “fulfilling career,” Jawa said he now hopes to explore new professional avenues.
“How many people can count as having been leader of both China and India in one career? I feel very grateful and also excited — I want to try new things and create a new profile of work and life,” he said during a post-earnings press conference call on July 31, Moneycontrol reported.
Jawa assumed the top role at HUL in June 2023 and will be succeeded by Priya Nair, a company veteran with over 30 years at Unilever.
Nair, who has served on the HUL management committee for seven years and held a global leadership position in the company’s beauty and wellbeing division, will take over as CEO in August.
Praising her credentials, Jawa said, “She’s been on the HUL management committee for seven years and has done a global role as well. I was the one who carved out beauty and wellbeing as a vertical because I see that as a source of future value creation for us... and she’s all in for that too."
Jawa began his career as a management trainee at HUL in 1988 and went on to work across India, Southeast Asia, and North Asia.
As Executive Vice-President for North Asia and Chairman of Unilever China, he played a pivotal role in transforming the China business into Unilever’s third-largest globally.
His leadership in China was marked by a sharp strategic focus, successful digital and premiumisation initiatives, and steady navigation through the Covid crisis.
Meanwhile, HUL on Thursday reported a 6% year-on-year growth in consolidated net profit for the June 2025 quarter at ₹2,768 crore, helped by lower tax expenses and solid volume-led sales growth.
Revenue rose 5% to ₹16,323 crore, with underlying volume growth at 4% and underlying sales growth at 5%, according to the company’s stock exchange filing.
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