The Swiss food giant, Nestlé, announced on September 1, 2025, the immediate dismissal of Laurent Freixe as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company. The decision was made following an internal investigation that revealed Freixe was involved in an “undisclosed romantic relationship” with a direct subordinate, constituting a violation of Nestlé’s Code of Business Conduct.
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The Board of Directors, chaired by Paul Bulcke, made the decision after an internal audit “in line with best practice corporate governance,” which was overseen by Bulcke himself and the Lead Independent Director, Pablo Isla, with support from external legal advisors. According to the official statement, this action reflects an effort to protect the company’s core values.
“This was a necessary decision. Nestlé’s values and governance are strong foundations of our company. I thank Laurent for his years of service at Nestlé,” stated Paul Bulcke.
Who is Philipp Navratil and why was he chosen as Nestlé’s new CEO?
As part of the announcement, Nestlé reported that Philipp Navratil will take over as CEO with immediate effect. Navratil is an executive with a long-standing career at the company, recognized as Europe’s largest food corporation.
Navratil began his Nestlé career in 2001 as an internal auditor. Over more than two decades, he has held increasingly responsible positions in various markets, including:
- 2009: Country Manager of Nestlé Honduras.
- 2013: Head of the coffee and beverages business in Mexico, where he significantly strengthened the Nescafé brand.
- 2020: Responsible for global strategy for Nescafé and Starbucks within Nestlé’s Coffee Strategic Business Unit.
- 2024: Took on a key leadership role at Nespresso, driving the brand’s growth.
- 2025: Joined Nestlé’s Executive Board on January 1.
Upon his appointment, Navratil stated:
“I am honored by the trust the Board has placed in me, and it is a privilege to take on the responsibility of leading Nestlé into the future. I fully embrace the company’s strategic direction, as well as the action plan in place to drive Nestlé’s performance.”
Bulcke, for his part, emphasized:
“Philipp is recognized for his impressive track record of achieving results in challenging environments. Renowned for his dynamic presence, he inspires teams and leads with a collaborative, inclusive management style.”
What impact does this decision have on Nestlé’s corporate governance?
The case of Laurent Freixe has been interpreted as a clear effort by Nestlé to strengthen its commitment to transparency, ethics, and regulatory compliance. The company stressed that the undisclosed relationship was a serious breach that could not be overlooked, regardless of the executive’s professional record.
Freixe, who was appointed CEO in August 2024, had spent nearly four decades at Nestlé with a record of outstanding achievements. His abrupt dismissal—with no transitional period—underscores the company’s zero tolerance policy toward situations that compromise institutional integrity.
“Nestlé is not changing course on its strategy and we will not lose pace on performance,” said Bulcke, reaffirming that the leadership change will not affect the company’s growth and efficiency goals.
Who is Laurent Freixe?
Laurent Freixe, a French national born in 1962, joined Nestlé France in 1986 in the sales and marketing division. His rise within the group was steady:
- 1999: Headed the Nutrition Division in France.
- 2003: CEO of Nestlé Hungary.
- 2007: Head of the Iberian region, overseeing Spain and Portugal.
- 2008: Executive Vice President of Nestlé S.A., in charge of the Europe zone.
- 2014: CEO of the Americas Zone (United States, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean).
- 2022: CEO of the Latin America Zone.
- 2024: CEO of Nestlé S.A.
Beyond his operational responsibilities, Freixe led key social impact initiatives. He was the driving force behind Nestlé Needs YOUth, a youth employment program launched in 2013, and was recognized as an International Youth Ambassador by the International Youth Organization for Ibero-America in 2018.
He has also served on the boards of organizations such as the Consumer Goods Forum in Latin America and has been Chairman of the Global Apprenticeship Network (GAN) since 2019.
Nestlé and the Philipp Navratil era
Navratil’s appointment signals continuity in corporate strategy, but with a new emphasis on more dynamic and participatory leadership. The company noted that no major changes in strategic direction are expected under his leadership, but rather an acceleration of growth and efficiency initiatives.
Nestlé faces major challenges in the global food industry, ranging from rising input costs to increasing environmental sustainability demands. In this context, Navratil is expected to consolidate the company’s position without neglecting the growing ethical and social scrutiny that multinationals face today.
Nestlé’s case has sparked widespread discussion in the European corporate world. Not only due to the company’s size—employing over 270,000 people worldwide—but also because it brings to the forefront a pressing conversation: managing personal relationships in the workplace.
