New Delhi, July 11 -- Shares of Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) rose as much as 4.61% in early trade on Friday, a day after the consumer goods major named Priya Nair as its next managing director and chief executive. Analysts largely backed the leadership change, viewing it as a strong signal of renewed urgency from parent firm Unilever to revive growth in its second-largest market.

Nair, currently president of beauty & wellbeing at Unilever, will take charge on 1 August for a five-year term, replacing Rohit Jawa, who steps down on 31 July. She will be the first female top boss of the consumer goods company in India. Her appointment comes as HUL has been grappling with sluggish demand, margin pressures, and increasing competition from digit...