Nestlé CEO Laurent Freixe Ousted Over Employee Relationship Scandal

Nestlé has dismissed its CEO, Laurent Freixe, after an internal investigation revealed he had an undisclosed romantic relationship with a direct subordinate, violating the company’s Code of Business Conduct. The board, led by Chairman Paul Bulcke and independent director Pablo Isla, emphasized that the decision was necessary to uphold Nestlé’s strong values and governance standards. Freixe, who had served nearly 40 years at Nestlé and was CEO for only one year, was replaced by Philipp Navratil, the former CEO of Nestlé Nespresso. Navratil, a company veteran since 2001, has extensive experience in leadership roles across Central America and within Nestlé’s coffee brands, including Nescafé, Starbucks, and Nespresso. The dismissal comes amid broader challenges for Nestlé, including sluggish sales, product recalls, and ongoing investigations. The board expressed confidence that Navratil would drive growth and efficiency while maintaining the company’s strategic direction.