Leena Nair, the Global CEO of Chanel, has been honoured with the title Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). This award was given by Prince William in recognition of her major contributions to the retail and consumer sectors.
Part of 2025 Honours List
The award is part of King Charles’ New Year Honours list for 2025. This list celebrates people who have made significant achievements or provided outstanding service in the UK.
Leena Nair’s Reaction
Leena expressed deep gratitude after receiving the award at Windsor Castle. She thanked her family, her colleagues at Unilever and Chanel, and especially her team at Chanel. She said the honour motivates her to continue leading with courage and honesty.

What She Wore
For the ceremony, Leena wore a violet Chanel Haute Couture tweed dress coat, sandals by Maison Massaro, and a felt hat by Maison Michel.
Her Journey
Leena Nair was raised in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. She became the Global CEO of Chanel in January 2022. Since then, she has led the brand while also increasing support for Foundation Chanel, which works to improve the lives of women and girls around the world.
Previous Role
Before joining Chanel, Leena worked at Unilever as the Chief Human Resources Officer and was part of the company’s top leadership team.