Chanel has appointed Leena Nair, an industry outsider from India and a long-time leader at Unilever, as its new CEO. Nair formerly worked as a senior executive at Unilever. Analysts believe her selection demonstrates how the brand is adapting to evolving consumer awareness of the industry’s environmental impact as well as the need of recruiting a broad pool of candidates. Nair wrote on Twitter that she was “humbled and pleased” to have been named Global Chief Executive Officer of @CHANEL, “a firm that is iconic and admired worldwide.”The revelation made a tremendous stir in India, where Nair was born, where she received a slew of congratulations and accolades on her decision, with one person referring to her as a “serial glass-ceiling breaker.”Several “history firsts” have occurred as a result of the appointment, according to Abhay Gupta, CEO, and founder of consultancy business Luxury Connect in India.
“I am overjoyed.”This is the first time an Indian woman has been appointed to the helm of a worldwide luxury business, and it is also the first time someone from outside the fashion industry has been chosen,” he explained. In a number of global technology, banking, and other companies, people of Indian descent are at the leadership; yet, the same cannot be true for luxury goods. As a result of the news, Gupta, who also operates a school for luxury management, believes his pupils will be “motivated.”This is quite encouraging and motivating, especially given the fact that we have never seen anything like it before. As someone who has come from a non-luxury background, I expect her to provide an entirely different perspective – it’s an indication that things are changing,” he remarked.
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In contrast to Nair’s absence from the Paris fashion scene, Chanel offers a wide range of products in addition to its high-fashion designs, including eyeglasses, watches, and cosmetics (among other things). As CEO, Nair will take over for Alain Wertheimer, a billionaire co-owner and chairman of privately held Chanel who has stepped down. He is the grandson of Chanel co-founder Pierre Wertheimer, and he continues to serve as the fashion house’s global executive chairman.
