Leena Nair from India appointed global CEO of French fashion group Chanel, World News

Leena Nair from India has been named the global Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of French fashion house Chanel.

Nair, who is a British nationalist, will join Chanel at the end of January next year and will be based in London, the group said.

He added that the new appointment would ensure “long-term success as a private company”.

After being appointed CEO, Nair said in a tweet that he was honored to be the global CEO of the French group.

The 52-year-old will replace US entrepreneur Maureen Chiquet, who comes from a fashion background and was Chanel’s CEO for nine years until early 2016.

Nair, who at Unilever oversees 150,000 people, started out as a trainee on the factory floor.

Nair’s appointment comes as the fashion industry is under pressure to show a more inclusive approach.

Nair serves as a non-executive board member at BT and previously served as non-executive director of the UK government’s department of business, energy and industry strategy.

Chanel was founded in 1910 by fashion legend Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel as a hat boutique on rue Cambon in Paris and grew to become a byword for chic French style.

This luxury fashion house is known worldwide for its layered handbags, No.5 perfumes and tweed suits.

Chanel is owned by 73-year-old French billionaire Alain Wertheimer.

Alan, along with his brother Gerard Wertheimer, became the two owners of the French luxury fashion house in 2016.

(With input from agency)