US EditionNestlé Ousts CEO Laurent Freixe Over Undisclosed Relationships as Philipp Navratil Takes Helm
- On September 1, 2025, Nestlé terminated CEO Laurent Freixe immediately after an internal inquiry revealed he had failed to disclose a personal relationship with an employee who reported directly to him.
- The inquiry, conducted with guidance from Nestlé's chairman Paul Bulcke and the company's lead independent director Pablo Isla, determined that the relationship breached Nestlé’s business conduct policies and posed a conflict of interest.
- Freixe had led Nestlé for exactly one year and had nearly 40 years with the company, while Philipp Navratil was immediately appointed as his successor.
- Navratil began his Nestlé career in 2001 as an internal auditor, held multiple commercial positions across Central America, led Nestlé's coffee and beverage operations in Mexico starting in 2013, joined the Coffee Strategic Business Unit in 2020, and took charge of Nespresso in July 2024.
- Navratil expressed that he is honored by the Board’s trust and will focus on driving Nestlé’s strategic direction and growth amid challenging market conditions.
394 Articles
394 Articles
The dismissal of Laurent Freixe brings Nestlé to the Bredouille. Now the 49-year-old Philipp Navratil is to save the image of the company and ensure growth.
"Undeclared" link, immediate dismissal: the case of the multinational's DG questions the limits between the right to privacy and professional obligations.
The CEO's removal for personal reasons brought a drop in shares and uncertainty - Analysts warn of increased risk in the company's medium-term strategy
The board of directors of the Swiss agri-food giant Nestlé announced, on Monday 1 September, the dismissal "with immediate effect" of its general manager, Laurent Freixe. At issue: an "undeclared love relationship with a direct subordinate" revealed by an internal investigation.
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