By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
September 2, 2025
Nestlé has dismissed its chief executive, Laurent Freixe, after an internal investigation found he failed to disclose a romantic relationship with a subordinate, in violation of company rules.
The Swiss food giant announced the decision on Monday, stating that the probe was led by chairman Paul Bulcke and lead independent director Pablo Isla with support from external legal advisers.
Freixe, a company veteran who joined in 1986, was appointed CEO in September 2024 after previously leading Nestlé’s operations in Europe and Latin America. His leadership came at a time of falling sales and weaker consumer spending.
The board has named Philipp Navratil, formerly CEO of Nespresso, as his successor. Navratil has worked with Nestlé since 2001, holding several senior roles including global strategy head for Nescafé and Starbucks brands. He took charge of Nespresso in 2024 and joined the board earlier this year.
Bulcke said the leadership change would not alter Nestlé’s overall strategy. “The board is confident that Navratil will drive growth plans forward and accelerate efficiency efforts,” he said.
Nestlé, whose brands include KitKat, Maggi, Nescafé, Purina and Gerber, reported a 10.3 percent drop in first-half net profits in July as weak demand in China and rising raw material costs weighed on performance. Shares closed at 75.49 Swiss francs on Monday, up 0.13 percent.
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