Nestlé has dismissed its chief executive officer, Laurent Freixe, after an internal investigation concluded he violated the company’s code of business conduct, the Swiss food giant announced Monday.
The inquiry, led by Chairman Paul Bulcke and Lead Independent Director Pablo Isla, found that Freixe had engaged in an undisclosed romantic relationship with a direct subordinate — a breach Nestlé deemed incompatible with its governance standards.
“This was a necessary decision,” Bulcke said in a statement. “Nestlé’s values and governance are strong foundations of our company. I thank Laurent for his years of service.”
Freixe, a longtime company executive, had only been in the top role since September 2024, following the ousting of former CEO Mark Schneider. His abrupt departure marks the second leadership shake-up in less than a year.
Philipp Navratil, a Nestlé veteran who joined the company in 2001 as an internal auditor, will step into the CEO position. Navratil has held leadership roles across Central America and Mexico, including as country manager for Nestlé Honduras and head of its coffee and beverage business. He later led Nestlé’s global coffee strategic unit, moved to Nespresso in 2024, and joined the executive board at the start of this year.
With Navratil now at the helm, Nestlé emphasized its commitment to stability and governance as it navigates one of the most turbulent leadership transitions in its history.