Nestlé CEO Laurent Freixe ousted over inappropriate office relationship with subordinate

‘Barron’s Roundtable’ panelists Andrew Bary, Megan Leonhardt and Ben Levisohn focus on the bond market, Hormel Meals and Nestlé.

Nestlé S.A., primarily based in Switzerland, has appointed a brand new CEO after its former chief was ousted over an inappropriate office relationship lower than a yr into the position.

The corporate stated Laurent Freixe was eliminated following an investigation right into a romantic relationship with a direct subordinate that violated Nestlé’s Code of Enterprise Conduct. Freixe is leaving the corporate with out an exit bundle.

Chairman Paul Bulcke and Lead Unbiased Director Pablo Isla oversaw the investigation.

“This was a necessary decision. Nestlé’s values and governance are strong foundations of our company,” Bulcke stated. “I thank Laurent for his years of service at Nestlé.”

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Former CEO Laurent Freixe attends a normal shareholders assembly of Swiss meals large Nestle in Ecublens, close to Lausanne, on April 16, 2025. (GABRIEL MONNET/AFP by way of Getty Photos / Getty Photos)

In the identical assertion, Bulcke stated Philipp Navratil would take over as CEO. 

“Philipp is recognized for his impressive track record of achieving results in challenging environments,” Bulcke stated. “Renowned for his dynamic presence, he inspires teams and leads with a collaborative, inclusive management style.

“The Board is assured that he’ll drive our development plans ahead and speed up effectivity efforts,” he added. “We’re not altering course on technique, and we is not going to lose tempo on efficiency.”

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A picture taken on November 20, 2024 shows a sign of Swiss food giant Nestle on their headquarters in Vevey, western Switzerland. Nestle slid two percent on November 19, 2024, after new chief executive Laurent Freixe announced a plan to slash costs a (FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Navratil began his career at Nestlé in 2001 as an auditor for the company behind brands like Nespresso, Perrier, San Pellegrino and Gerber.

He later held several roles in Central America, including Country Manager for Nestlé Honduras in 2009.

Four years later, he led Nestlé’s coffee and beverage business in Mexico, bolstering the Nescafé brand.

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SAN FRANCISCO – FEBRUARY 23: Bags of Nestle Toll House chocolate chips are seen on a store shelf February 23, 2006 in San Francisco, California. Profit for Nestle, the world’s biggest food and beverage company, rose $6.1 billion or 21 percent in 2005 ( Justin Sullivan/Getty Images / Getty Images)

The company noted that in 2020, Navratil moved into Nestlé’s Coffee Strategic Business Unit where he was in charge of shaping the brand’s global strategy.

In July 2024, he began working with the Nespresso brand, and in January 2025, he joined the Nestlé Executive Board.

“I’m honored by the belief the Board has positioned in me, and it’s a privilege to tackle the accountability of main Nestlé into the longer term,” he said. “I totally embrace the corporate’s strategic path, in addition to the motion plan in place to drive Nestlé’s efficiency.

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“I look forward to working closely with the entire leadership of the company, in alignment with the Board, Chairman Paul Bulcke, and Chairman-Designate Pablo Isla, to accelerate execution and to drive the value creation plan with intensity,” Navratil added.