Nestlé has dismissed CEO Laurent Freixe following an internal investigation that revealed he engaged in an undisclosed romantic relationship with a direct subordinate—violating the company’s code of conduct. The Swiss-based food and beverage giant made the announcement on Monday, stating that the decision was effective immediately.
Freixe’s dismissal comes just one year after assuming the role of CEO. He began his career at Nestlé in 1986 and held several key leadership positions across the globe. In August 2024, he succeeded Mark Schneider as CEO, officially taking over on September 1, 2024. Prior to that, he served as the CEO of Zone Latin America after Nestlé reorganized its global operations in 2022.
Nestlé has appointed Philipp Navratil as Freixe’s successor. Navratil, who joined Nestlé in 2001, has held a variety of leadership roles in Central America and was most recently the CEO of Nestlé’s Nespresso division. His background includes a stint in the Coffee Strategic Business Unit, positioning him as a seasoned leader with deep company experience.
“This was a necessary decision,” said Chairman Paul Bulcke. “Nestlé’s values and governance are strong foundations of our company.” The company did not disclose further details about the investigation or the timeline of the relationship.
This marks the latest in a string of executive changes at Nestlé. In April 2025, Steve Presley, CEO of Zone Americas, announced his retirement after nearly three decades with the company. In June, Chairman Paul Bulcke, who served as Nestlé’s CEO from 2008 to 2016 and has held the chairman position since 2017, confirmed he would not seek reelection in 2026.
Nestlé, headquartered in Vevey, Switzerland, is navigating ongoing economic challenges such as rising commodity prices and global tariffs. Despite these headwinds, the company reported in July that it managed to offset increasing coffee and cocoa costs by implementing price hikes across several product lines.
The dismissal underscores Nestlé’s commitment to upholding ethical standards at all leadership levels. As the world’s largest food and beverage company—behind brands like Nescafé, Purina, and Nespresso—Nestlé continues to face intense scrutiny over its internal culture and governance.
The board’s swift action signals a zero-tolerance approach to violations of company policy, particularly at the executive level. Nestlé now looks ahead to stabilizing its leadership amid continued market pressures.
