French fashion house Chanel has appointed former Unilever executive Leena Nair as its new global chief executive, based in London.
 
Billionaire Alain Wertheimer, who owns Chanel with his brother Gerard Wertheimer, will shift to the role of global executive chairman.
 
Nair’s career at Unilever spanned 30 years, most recently as the chief of human resources and a member of Unilever’s executive committee. Nair was the first female, first Asian, youngest ever CHRO of Unilever.
 
Chanel, known for No. 5 perfume, said Nair would join the group in January. It added that the new appointments would ensure its “long-term success as a private company.”