FROM NBC NEWS: Swiss food giant Nestlé said Monday that it had dismissed its CEO Laurent Freixe after an investigation into an undisclosed relationship with a direct subordinate.
The company, which makes Nescafé drinks and Purina pet food, said in a statement that the dismissal was effective immediately. An investigation found the undisclosed romantic relationship with a direct subordinate violated Nestlé’s code of conduct.
Freixe had been with Nestlé since 1986, holding roles around the world. When Nestlé revamped its geographic structure in January 2022, Freixe became CEO of Zone Latin America. In August 2024, he was tapped to replace then-CEO Mark Schneider in the top role, and started Sept. 1, 2024.
“This was a necessary decision,” said Chairman Paul Bulcke. “Nestlé’s values and governance are strong foundations of our company.”
No additional details about the investigation were provided.
Freixe has only been CEO for a year. He will be replaced by longtime Nestlé executive Philipp Navratil.
Navratil was “previously senior vice president and head of the company’s Coffee Strategic Business Unit, overseeing global strategy for the Nescafé and Starbucks brands,” The New York Times reported.
From the Times:
He began his career at Nestlé as an internal auditor in 2001, and was named country manager for Nestlé Honduras in 2009.
In 2013, he took control of the company’s coffee and beverage business in Mexico. Last year, he was named chief executive of Nestlé Nespresso, and he joined Nestlé’s executive board this year.
“I fully embrace the company’s strategic direction, as well as the action plan in place to drive Nestlé’s performance,” Mr. Navratil said in a statement.
Nestle abruptly dismissed its CEO Laurent Freixe for failing to disclose a romantic relationship with a subordinate, a dramatic removal a year after he took the reins https://t.co/cWuqnUhIE8 pic.twitter.com/ThHtSlDlv5
— Reuters (@Reuters) September 1, 2025
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