Nestlé removes CEO Frexie due to office romance
Nestle Announces CEO Dismissal Following Investigation
In a surprising turn of events, Nestle, the multinational food and beverage company known for brands like Nescafe drinks and Purina pet food, has announced the dismissal of its CEO, Laurent Freixe. The dismissal comes after an investigation into an undisclosed romantic relationship with a direct subordinate, according to a statement made public by the company.
Freixe, who joined Nestle in 1986 and held various roles globally, had been CEO for a year before his dismissal. He took over the role from Mark Schneider on September 1, 2024. In January 2022, Freixe became CEO of Zone Latin America for Nestle.
The investigation found that Freixe's actions violated Nestle's code of conduct. No further details about the investigation were given. The relationship between Freixe and his direct subordinate remains undisclosed.
Philipp Navratil, a longtime Nestle executive, will replace Freixe as CEO. Navratil began his Nestle career in 2001 as an internal auditor, then held various commercial roles in Central America, became country manager for Nestle Honduras in 2009, led the coffee and beverage business in Mexico from 2013, headed Nestle's Coffee Strategic Business Unit from 2020, and was CEO of Nespresso since July 2024 before becoming Nestle CEO in 2025.
Nestle has been facing headwinds like other food makers, including rising commodity costs and the negative impact of tariffs. However, in July, the company offset higher coffee and cocoa-related costs with price increases. The company's values and governance, which are strong foundations of the company, remain unchanged.
Paul Bulcke, Nestle's Chairman, stated that the decision was necessary. He emphasized that Nestle's values and governance are crucial to maintaining the company's reputation and success. The company is based in Vevey, Switzerland.
Navratil served in various roles in Central America before joining Nestle's Coffee Strategic Business Unit in 2020. His extensive experience within the company, coupled with his leadership roles, make him a suitable candidate to lead Nestle through its current challenges.
The dismissal of Freixe and the appointment of Navratil as CEO mark significant changes for Nestle. The company will undoubtedly face challenges in the coming months, but with Navratil at the helm, there is hope for a steady course forward.
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