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Who Is Chanel’s New Global CEO?

The French luxury giant has appointed Unilever human resources chief Leena Nair to lead the business in a time of transformation. ‘Human capital is as important as financial capital,’ she said in an interview with Time in May.
Leena Nair is Chanel's new CEO.
Leena Nair is Chanel's new CEO. (Chanel, Getty Images)

Chanel’s new global chief executive officer Leena Nair doesn’t fit the typical profile of a European luxury executive. But the British-Indian woman is unusual for more than her identity: she is a fashion outsider who has spent decades at Unilever, focused on people, culture and values, most recently as the consumer goods giant’s chief human resources officer.

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Further Reading

How Chanel Is Strengthening Its Supply Chain

Over the past two years, Chanel has acquired seven new manufacturers. At the house’s ‘Métiers d’Art’ showcase in Paris, president of fashion Bruno Pavlovsky broke down his strategy for future-proofing the French megabrand’s supply chain.

Chanel Sales Bounce Back After Heavy Pandemic Hit

A limited digital operation and high exposure to fragrance and beauty were among the factors that held the French giant back last year. But sales have since returned to growth over pre-pandemic levels and the company has no intention of selling its fashion online.

About the author
Robert Williams
Robert Williams

Robert Williams is Luxury Editor at The Business of Fashion. He is based in Paris and drives BoF’s coverage of the dynamic luxury fashion sector.

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