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British-Indian Leena Nair is the new global CEO of Chanel

British-Indian Leena Nair is the new global CEO of Chanel

The Indian born executive most recently served as head of HR at Unilever and does not have a background in fashion.
15 Dec, 2021

French fashion house Chanel named Leena Nair, an executive from Unilever, as its new global CEO on Tuesday, picking a consumer goods veteran to run one of the world's biggest luxury goods groups.

Nair's career at Unilever spanned 30 years, most recently as the chief of human resources and a member of the company's executive committee. The 52-year-old follows US businesswoman Maureen Chiquet, who came from a fashion background and was CEO of Chanel for nine years until early 2016.

A British national, born in India, Nair is a rare outsider at the helm of the tightly controlled family fashion house, known for its tweed suits, quilted handbags and No. 5 perfume. Chanel was founded in 1910 by fashion legend Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel as a hat boutique on rue Cambon in Paris and grew to become a byword for French chic.

Nair, in a post on Instagram, said she is "humbled and honoured to be appointed the Global Chief Executive Officer of Chanel, an iconic and admired company". "I am so inspired by what Chanel stands for," she said. "It is a company that believes in the freedom of creation, in cultivating human potential and in acting to have a positive impact in the world."⠀

"I am grateful for my long career at Unilever, a place that has been my home for 30 years. It has given me so many opportunities to learn, grow and contribute to a truly purpose-driven organisation. I will always be a proud advocate of Unilever and its ambition to make sustainable living commonplace."

French billionaire Alain Wertheimer, a 73-year-old who owns Chanel with his brother Gerard Wertheimer and had originally taken on the CEO job on a temporary basis, will move to the role of global executive chairman.

The group said Nair, who at Unilever oversaw 150,000 people, would join at the end of January and be based in London. It added that the new appointments would ensure its "long-term success as a private company."

The recruitment of Nair, who rose through the ranks of Unilever having started out as a trainee on the factory floor, comes as the fashion industry is under pressure to show a more inclusive approach.

Under her watch Unilever achieved gender parity across global management, according to a Harper's Bazaar profile published last month, which also highlighted her commitment to pay the living wage across the supply chain.

Nair serves as a non-executive board member at BT and has previously served as non-executive director of the British government's business, energy and industrial strategy department.

Comments

Mani Kant Dec 15, 2021 02:48pm
Indians showing excellence all the way across the globe.
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Shologar Dec 15, 2021 02:52pm
Leena Nair is and Indian Briton--not British Indian! There's is a diff! Point is --another Indian!
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RAja Raman Dec 15, 2021 03:02pm
Good to see many from India reaching top positions in MNCs. This will be inspiration for many girls to break the glass ceiling. More power to Women.
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Saima Dec 15, 2021 03:19pm
Leena was born, studied in india, worked as HR in hindustan lever in india till her 40s, got job offer from Chanel, and now she is CEO at google, amazong progress as a woman.
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M. Saeed Dec 15, 2021 03:21pm
An Indian excelling outside India, is a sure victim of racism prevalent in India.
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AKL Dec 15, 2021 03:32pm
Another greatness
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Sam Dec 15, 2021 03:56pm
Apologies - F Track
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Akram Dec 15, 2021 04:22pm
And Pakistani secular liberal elite / upper middle well settled well educated (including dual nationals / immigrants) all the time bashing mullahs and right wingers instead of spending energies in innovation, invention and leading the world.
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Akil Akhtar Dec 15, 2021 04:36pm
Indians are being promoted to thee positions to attract indian business that is all...
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Himmat Dec 15, 2021 05:20pm
Congratulations
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Aimal Dec 15, 2021 05:34pm
Indian origin CEOs are taking over almost all reputed brands. This softpower is taken notice of by the world. Investing in Education was the right policy in India, immediately after the independence.
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Shehzad Dec 15, 2021 06:33pm
@M. Saeed " face racism in India". Joke. She is a upper caste, and as per our narrative they rule in india and dont face racism. Now we cant change that narrative conventiently to suit our narrative here.
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Dec 15, 2021 06:45pm
What a grave, grim, gruesome, grisly, gross and great tragedy?
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J Dec 15, 2021 07:25pm
@M. Saeed... what kind of racism do you think Leena faced?
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Bhajrang Dec 15, 2021 07:32pm
She was a survivor of Mumbai attacks 2008
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LuckyBaBa82 Dec 15, 2021 07:42pm
Welcome....new face and grateful theme
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Truth be told Dec 15, 2021 07:54pm
It's the charismatic bhagiyar look that did the trick.
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Munir khan Dec 15, 2021 08:10pm
Great news for working wemons. The new ceo is coming with a great consumer Viz a viz corporate experience andd it will help channel in boosting their saless and service's.
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Lalit Pandit Dec 15, 2021 08:26pm
@M. Saeed: Stay in your prejudiced and parochial view and keep driving the wedges between people. The world will go on and progress while you keep locked in your views of the world.
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Hanna Dec 15, 2021 09:58pm
Congrats to her
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Reasoning Mind Dec 15, 2021 10:18pm
@M. Saeed - That's a pretty silly comment. What has racism got to do with this! Most Indians have done well because the founding fathers invested in education. The IITs, the IIMs, the UGCs etc. It's reaping benefits now. And it's one step at a time - Indians were contributing heavily at technical levels first then graduated to mid-managerial levels . They've quickly moved on to senior and executive positions. I don't need to name the fortune 50 companies they're running today. 90% of them are Indian educated as well. Never too late for Pakistan to invest in education. I see hoards of young Pakistani students on Indian education YouTube channels lamenting the poor education levels back home. Stop being jealous. Look forward to what your country can achieve as well merely by educating itself. Good luck!
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Gulshan Omar Dec 15, 2021 10:52pm
It’s boring that another lady with Indian heritage taking over such an important portfolio. Anyway, Congratulations MS. NAIR.
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Hansoti Sh Dec 15, 2021 11:23pm
@Shologar No, she is not. She is not an ethnic Briton. Big market require a local face, East India Company, British, Dutch, French or whatever, CUI BONO? They see the mindless consumer cattle, just like the cattle market that is the "Universal Beauty" pageant
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Hansoti Sh Dec 15, 2021 11:24pm
@RAja Raman East India Company Babus fronting for the neo-EIC MNCs
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Pran Joshi Dec 15, 2021 11:51pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad that's all? More empty words, please.
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Prabhjyot Madan Dec 15, 2021 11:51pm
Excellent choice. Indians are ruling the waves. Hardwork with dedication pays.
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Laila Dec 15, 2021 11:53pm
Wow that's quite an accomplishment. I think people should be hired on merit. Because they have what it takes. It should not be because of their gender, ethnicity, or anything in name of satisfying inclusion or diversity. I am sure she must be great at leadership to have been hired.
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Cye Dec 16, 2021 12:05am
Chanel is doomed now.
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RSh Dec 16, 2021 12:18am
@Akram What is the problem in calling a spade a spade?
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RSh Dec 16, 2021 12:23am
@M. Saeed You forgot Indira Gandhi perhaps. Pakistan should remember her for ever.
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Vijay B. Dec 16, 2021 01:30am
@Shologar "Leena Nair is and Indian Briton--not British Indian! There's is a diff!" What diff does it make, in either case she has Indian ancestry.
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Vijay B. Dec 16, 2021 01:33am
Looks like the Indians are unstoppable, be it any industry, male or female , USA or UK. the best amongst them manage to spear ahead. Bravo!
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Observer101 Dec 16, 2021 01:56am
Since Indian bureaucracy keeps people down they go abroad to countries that welcome talent and enterprise.
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Hindustani Dec 16, 2021 02:01am
Fantastic news .We Indians are proud of our fellow Indians doing so well in the world.
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Hindustani Dec 16, 2021 02:05am
@M. Saeed Pathetic statement, Saeed Mia. Indians do well all over the world because they respect education,are liberal & do not inbreed to produce half wits.
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Ahmad-Pakistan Dec 16, 2021 02:13am
Great news for all South Asians community around the world, currently India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are on top interms of fashion designing, dresses and shoes. Let's go guys and dominate in the world.
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surendra sukhtankar Dec 16, 2021 03:00am
@Akil Akhtar : Don't be so jealous!
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Drr Dec 16, 2021 03:16am
@Akil Akhtar ,yes, that is the power of india.
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QBMXq Dec 16, 2021 03:36am
I thought she was from Pakista, next time may be
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Harish Chandra Dec 16, 2021 03:47am
@Shologar: You are right; she is an Indian-Brit, not a British-Indian. A very common error, seen often.
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Charlie Hebdo Dec 16, 2021 04:13am
@M. Saeed Racism! Really? Read the meaning if racism!
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SivaD Dec 16, 2021 04:19am
@Gulshan Omar Thanks for the backhanded complement!
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Dziner Dec 16, 2021 05:05am
This decision will make chanel into drain.
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Kant Dec 16, 2021 05:43am
@Akil Akhtar Grapes are sour. If you are incompetent to climb ladder, then bash the ones that could!
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Raj Dec 16, 2021 05:45am
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad What make you think this as a tragedy ?
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A Dec 16, 2021 06:35am
@Shologar “ Leena Nair is and Indian Briton--not British Indian! There's is a diff! Point is --another Indian!” Point is it does not matter where the Indian is born.
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Shaleen Dec 16, 2021 06:35am
@Akil Akhtar Indian employees feel empowered and energised, connected with Indian CEO at top.
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Shaleen Dec 16, 2021 06:38am
@Akram Because RSS never targeted Indian professionals in India or abroad.
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Vgp Dec 16, 2021 07:12am
One more Indian at the top. Way to go
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Logic Gates Dec 16, 2021 07:14am
Congrats, South Asian woman !
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Ravi Dec 16, 2021 07:33am
@Gulshan Omar Boring to Pakistanis not to Indians
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ARUN Dec 16, 2021 07:46am
Google, Microsoft, Adobe, PepsiCo, Twitter & now chanel. More within a decade. Indian techies rule the corporate world
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ds Dec 16, 2021 07:58am
@Akil Akhtar Indians are being promoted to thee positions to attract indian business that is all... you are the same guys who say India is dirt poor. So what company wants Indian business? make up your mind sore looser.
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Gurcharan Dec 16, 2021 08:15am
@M. Saeed How much you know of India? Nairs are Brahmins.
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Devi Gopakumar Dec 16, 2021 08:30am
@M. Saeed Hmmm... What about your countrymen who has no notable achievements either inside or outside of your country??? What does that tell you of your country? Identify one single scientific or academic achievement that can be attributed to someone from your country...
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Kate Angel Dinara Dec 16, 2021 08:34am
@Gulshan Omar Don't get upset as If you have anytime abroad then see there what Pakistan has Produced.. mostly Brokers, Labourers & Drivers 98% all around the world... So, Just chill & appreciate & try & aim for good education..
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Atapi Dec 16, 2021 08:42am
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad English???
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Observer101 Dec 16, 2021 08:51am
The west values creative excellence more than nations of the Indian subcontinent.
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THQ Dec 16, 2021 08:55am
Just another example of indian nepotism. This is a global phenomenon, indians within the organization promote indians to upper tier. This is a non stop action until they reach the top and then hire more indians within their organization. This needs an international investigation.
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Jai Dec 16, 2021 09:06am
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad ….. yes I’m sure you feel that way.
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UM Dec 16, 2021 09:58am
@Akil Akhtar : have you ever thought about why “Indian business” or the Indian market is such an attractive proposition? Hint - strong economic growth and rapidly increasing prosperity!
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SATT Dec 16, 2021 10:07am
Indian women have beauty and brain and its because of their belief in themselves not because of external support.Even India's enemies are proud of Indians
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Raj kumar Dec 16, 2021 10:10am
This will inspire our new generation.
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Ratpack Dec 16, 2021 01:18pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Tragedy because the new CEO is not as brilliant and well educated as you? See where it got you.
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M. Saeed Dec 16, 2021 03:08pm
Racism and India go hand in hand. Why are South Indians not equal Indians? Why Bengalies hate Beharies? Why people from far Eastern Indian states are not seen in the rest of India? Why hate Moguls who ruled India for over 1,200 years and developed it to a world industrial power, in search of Western route to which, (Columbus ) discovered the US in default and named it's people West Indians?
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Tadka Dec 16, 2021 09:25pm
@Gurcharan nope they are from warrior community. But that doesnt matter does it, she is a brave woman
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Zak Dec 17, 2021 12:54pm
Now the company will go down quick and fast.
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Zak Dec 17, 2021 12:55pm
She wont last long after things start going south.
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KannadaBoy Dec 19, 2021 06:55pm
I’ve seen many Pakistani female doctors wasting their education/career in countries like USA/UK mainly reason being women suppression in the e society…as long as women is not treated equal, country would never progress…
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Jhandoo Khan Dec 20, 2021 07:32am
Most Pakistanis can't afford Channel products. They would need a bank loan for that. Pakistanis can hardly afford local jumma bazar or landa bazar products now a days.
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