Nestlé Ousts CEO Laurent Freixe After Internal Probe
Nestlé has made headlines with a dramatic leadership shake-up. Its chief executive, Laurent Freixe, has been dismissed following the discovery of an undisclosed romantic relationship with a direct subordinate. The matter was investigated thoroughly, and it was concluded that Nestlé’s code of business conduct had been breached.
The decision marks the end of a four-decade-long career at the Swiss multinational for Freixe. He had only been in the top job since September of last year, having succeeded Mark Schneider. What was presented as a fresh leadership era at Nestlé quickly shifted course after the internal probe, which was overseen by chairman Paul Bulcke, lead independent director Pablo Isla, and external legal advisers.
In a statement, Bulcke said this was a “necessary decision,” emphasizing that Nestlé’s values and governance form the foundation of the company’s strength. While he thanked Freixe for his years of service, the tone was clear: upholding integrity and corporate ethics was seen as more important than personal history.
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Philipp Navratil has been named as the new CEO. Navratil is far from an unfamiliar face inside Nestlé. He joined the company in 2001 and steadily rose through the ranks, working in Central America, leading Nestlé Honduras, managing coffee and beverage operations in Mexico, and eventually overseeing the coffee strategic business unit. Most recently, he took on a leadership role at Nespresso in 2024 and joined Nestlé’s executive board earlier this year.
The board has described him as dynamic, collaborative, and results-driven. Navratil’s management style has been praised for being inclusive and inspiring, and Nestlé has made it clear that its growth and efficiency goals remain unchanged despite this leadership transition.
This episode brings back memories of a similar high-profile case in 2023, when BP’s chief executive, Bernard Looney, resigned for failing to disclose relationships with colleagues. That case also revolved around transparency, governance, and accountability at the very top of a multinational. In BP’s case, policies were introduced requiring employees to formally declare intimate relationships, with the risk of dismissal if they failed to comply.
For Freixe, the outcome is final. After 40 years of service, his career at Nestlé has ended not with retirement or a legacy of leadership, but with dismissal over a breach of trust. For Navratil, the spotlight now shifts to how he will guide Nestlé’s massive portfolio of brands—spanning KitKat, Häagen-Dazs, and Nespresso—through the next chapter.
The message from Nestlé’s board is unmistakable: corporate governance and ethical standards are not negotiable, even for the highest office in the company.
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