ET Awards for Corporate Excellence: Levers of growth meet shades of talent at Chanel
global CEO of luxury brand Chanel, has several significant firsts to her credit. At Unilever, Nair, 54, was the first woman to lead global human resources. And then, Chanel appointed her as its first global CEO of Indian origin. She was a fashion industry outsider when picked by the French fashion house to lead it in 2022.
“I am humbled and delighted to receive this prestigious award. India has shaped my values; it is where I grew up, where I completed my education, and where I spent 40 years of my life, including two decades of my professional career,” she told ET after being chosen for the Global Indian Award. “This award is a recognition of Chanel, an iconic and admired luxury brand, and our teams across the world. We believe in the freedom of creation, encouraging human potential and acting to have a positive impact in the world.”
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Offering CollegeCourseWebsiteUniversity of Western AustraliaUWA Global MBAVisitIndian School of BusinessISB Venture Capital and Private Equity ProgramVisitIIM LucknowIIML Chief Executive Officer ProgrammeVisitNair grew up in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. After studying engineering and management, she began her career as a summer intern at Unilever in 1992 and has been credited for her part in Unilever’s efforts in advancing various social commitments, including one to pay a living wage to all workers across the supply chain by 2030.
“When I look back at my career, I have had the privilege and the responsibility of being the first in many roles — the first woman, the first Indian, the first Asian, including being the first person of colour to lead a global luxury brand,” Nair told ET. “This comes with a huge sense of responsibility of
