Leena Nair, the India-born Global CEO of French luxury fashion house Chanel, has been awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Prince William.
The honour, part of the 2025 King’s New Year’s Honours list, was conferred in recognition of her significant contributions to the retail and consumer sector. The prestigious award was presented to her at a formal ceremony held at Windsor Castle.
Nair, who became Chanel’s first Indian-origin CEO in January 2022, dedicated the honour to her team at Chanel, as well as her family and mentors.
She acknowledged the support she received throughout her career, particularly during her time at Unilever and now at Chanel. For the ceremony, she wore a violet Chanel haute couture tweed coat dress, paired with sandals by couture shoemaker Maison Massaro and a matching felt hat by Maison Michel—both part of Chanel’s portfolio of luxury brands.
“I am deeply grateful for the unconditional support of my family and for the wisdom and generosity of all the people at Unilever and CHANEL. I share this honour with all these wonderful people who have accompanied my career journey and shaped my values,” Nair wrote on LinkedIn.
“I am especially thankful to my amazing team at Chanel to whom I dedicate this award. This inspires me to continue to lead Chanel with audacity and integrity and to strive to have a positive impact in the world,” part of her post read.
Originally from Kolhapur in Maharashtra, Leena Nair’s journey from humble beginnings to the helm of one of the world’s most prestigious fashion houses has been marked by a series of professional milestones.
Under her leadership, Chanel recorded a 16 percent increase in revenue in 2023, totalling USD 20 billion, despite a broader slowdown in the luxury sector affecting other global brands.
Before joining Chanel, Nair served as the youngest-ever Chief Human Resources Officer at Unilever. An alumna of the Xavier School of Management (XLRI), Jamshedpur, she has been recognised for her impact and leadership across industries.
In 2025, she was also featured on Fortune India’s Most Powerful Women list. During her time at Chanel, the brand has increased its philanthropic efforts through Fondation CHANEL, reaching over 9 million women and girls worldwide.
The CBE honour places Nair among a select group of individuals recognised for their outstanding service and achievements in the United Kingdom and internationally.
