Leena Nair is the current CEO of Chanel, appointed in January 2022. She is the first woman and the first person of Asian origin to lead the iconic brand, bringing her distinguished track record from Unilever where she previously served as Chief Human Resources Officer. Nair is recognized for pioneering diversity, inclusivity, and sustainability both in the consumer goods and luxury fashion industries.
Career Background
Over nearly 30 years, Nair drove workforce transformation at Unilever, achieving gender parity in global leadership, and became the company’s youngest, first female, and first Asian CHRO. Leena Nair built her career with Unilever, rising to Chief Human Resources Officer—a role where she was known for pioneering inclusivity, diversity, and employee well-being across a global scale. At Chanel, she brought a unique approach, aiming to adapt lessons from the consumer goods sector to high luxury fashion, and quickly became a prominent female leader in the industry.
Achievements and Initiatives as CEO
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Launched N°1 de Chanel, a sustainability-focused beauty line, and made sustainability a strategic pillar, committing Chanel to net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.
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Oversaw the expansion of Foundation Chanel’s philanthropy, increasing funding from $20 million to $100 million annually, with a global impact on over 9 million women and girls.
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Pushed gender equality, raising the percentage of women in management to 60% at Chanel.
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Maintained luxury exclusivity through private, invite-only boutiques tailored for high-value clients.
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Garnered notable financial growth and solidified Chanel’s brand identity and social purpose.
Recognition and Press
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Awarded the prestigious Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Prince William in 2025 for leadership in retail and social responsibility.
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Named among Fortune’s Most Powerful Women and featured in prominent business lists for breaking barriers in global leadership.
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Continues to influence and inspire across industries, regularly speaking on business transformation, sustainable growth, and inclusive leadership.
Milestones and Achievements
| Year | Milestone | Achievement/Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Appointed CEO of Chanel | First woman & Asian-origin CEO; transition from Unilever |
| 2022 | Launched N°1 de Chanel | First sustainability-focused beauty range |
| 2023 | Achieved 60% women in management | Gender equality landmark at Chanel |
| 2023 | Chanel revenue growth | Led company to double-digit growth despite industry downturn |
| 2025 | Received CBE honor | Recognized for outstanding service in retail by the UK Royal Family |
| 2022-2025 | Foundation Chanel expansion | Increased charity funding by $80 million; impact on 9+ million women/girls |
| 2024-2025 | Exclusive retail launches | Opened private, invite-only boutiques for top clientele |
Chanel under Leena Nair’s leadership has accelerated its sustainability agenda, advanced inclusivity, and set new standards for luxury’s role in society—all while maintaining the brand’s elite heritage.
