Sunanda Khaitan appointed CMO, beauty & wellbeing at HUL

MUMBAI: Hindustan Unilever has handed the reins of its beauty and wellbeing portfolio to a familiar face. Sunanda Khaitan has been appointed chief marketing officer for the category, marking a new milestone in her nearly two-decade-long journey with Unilever.

Khaitan steps into the role after a successful stint as vice president and business head of Lakmē, where she sharpened the brand’s premium edge while keeping it firmly rooted in mass appeal. Her elevation signals continuity with confidence for one of HUL’s most competitive and culturally influential businesses.

Khaitan’s career reads like a guided tour of Unilever’s beauty playbook. From cutting her teeth in sales to shaping global narratives for brands such as Fair and Lovely, Citra and Ponds, she has worked across markets, categories and consumer mindsets. Her time as global brand director for Haircare further added an international lens to her leadership.

What sets her apart is range. Few marketers can claim equal fluency in street level sales realities and global brand strategy. At HUL, she has moved steadily from area sales manager to the top marketing role, gathering insights, instincts and credibility along the way.

As Beauty and Wellbeing continues to evolve, blending science, self care and storytelling, Khaitan’s appointment feels timely. With deep brand knowledge and a knack for staying relevant, she now has the task of keeping HUL’s beauty portfolio both future ready and firmly in the public imagination.

For Unilever, it is a homegrown leader stepping into the spotlight. For the category, it is a steady hand with a sharp eye on what consumers want next.