Nestlé Chair Paul Bulcke to Retire 2026, Pablo Isla Named Successor

Nestlé announced that Paul Bulcke will step down as chairman at the company's annual general meeting in April 2026, concluding nearly 50 years with the firm, including almost nine years as CEO and nine years as chairman. He will be succeeded by Pablo Isla, the former CEO and chairman of Inditex, marking the first time Nestlé appoints an outsider as chairman. Isla, who joined Nestlé's board in 2018 and has served as vice chairman since 2024, is recognized for expanding Inditex's global reach and aligns with Nestlé's focus on nutrition, health, and wellness. This leadership transition follows recent changes at Nestlé, including the replacement of CEO Mark Schneider with Laurent Freixe, as the company seeks to rejuvenate growth amid industry challenges. Bulcke expressed confidence in Isla, Freixe, and the executive team to drive continued growth and value creation, while Isla conveyed enthusiasm for advancing Nestlé's strategy and values. The shift reflects Nestlé's move toward evolving its leadership to future-proof the company in a competitive landscape.