International-News

Nestlé changes leadership: CEO dismissed for relationship with employee

Internal scandal and change at the top of the Swiss giant

Food giant Nestlé has announced the immediate dismissal of CEO Laurent Freixe following an investigation into an “undeclared romantic relationship with a direct subordinate”. According to the board of directors, Freixe’s behaviour violated the group’s code of conduct and internal guidelines.

Philipp Navratil, currently head of Nespresso, has been appointed as the new CEO. Nestlé has specified that the company’s strategic direction remains unchanged, with the aim of accelerating growth and efficiency.

Freixe, 63, who had been CEO for only a year, had worked for the company since 1986. For concealing the romantic relationship, he will have to forfeit his severance pay, but no further sanctions are planned. It has not yet been decided if and when the vacancy on the board of directors will be filled.

The new CEO, Philipp Navratil, 49, has been with Nestlé since 2001 and has been at the helm of Nespresso since early 2025. Navratil said, ‘It is a privilege to lead Nestlé into the future. I fully support the company’s strategic direction” and pledges to work with Chairman Paul Bulcke, Chairman-designate Pablo Isla and the board of directors to accelerate the implementation of the company’s strategy.

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