Luxury group Chanel has appointed a former Unilever executive Leena Nair as its new global CEO, who will be based in London.

Nair has spent 30 years with Unilever and was most recently in the role of chief of human resources, alongside her role on the company’s executive committee. 

She will take over the role from Alain Wertheimer, who with his brother Gerard, owns the company. Gerard will assume the role of global executive chairman. 

“This new partnership at the helm of the company, appointed by the board of Chanel Limited (UK), will further ensure long-term success as a private company, believing in the freedom of creation, cultivating human potential and acting to have a positive impact in the world,” the company said in a statement overnight. 

“Nair has built a global reputation for progressive and human-centred leadership, delivering significant business impact.”