Nestlé, one of the world’s largest food and beverage companies, announced a major leadership change this week after its CEO, Laurent Freixe, was removed from his position following an internal investigation.
The reason behind the decision centers around what the company described as an inappropriate romantic relationship with a direct subordinate — a violation of Nestlé’s own Code of Business Conduct. Freixe, who had held the top role for less than a year, is leaving without an exit package.
The situation has created waves across the corporate world. Nestlé, based in Switzerland and known for global brands like Nespresso, Perrier, San Pellegrino, and Gerber, is now trying to steady the ship as it turns the page.
The decision to remove Freixe came after a formal review led by Chairman Paul Bulcke and Lead Independent Director Pablo Isla. The company stated the investigation was thorough and focused on upholding the company’s values and code of conduct.
NESTLÉ CEO FIRED OVER SECRET ROMANCE
Nestlé has dismissed CEO Laurent Freixe after an internal investigation confirmed he failed to disclose a romantic relationship with a subordinate, breaching company conduct rules.
Freixe spent 40 years with the group and became CEO in… pic.twitter.com/2PvKJKLkLz
— Business Explainer (@businessXplain) September 2, 2025
“This was a necessary decision,” Bulcke said in a statement. “Nestlé’s values and governance are strong foundations of our company. I thank Laurent for his years of service at Nestlé.”
In Freixe’s place, Nestlé has appointed Philipp Navratil as the new CEO. The company says the transition will not change the business’s overall strategic direction or performance plans.
“Philipp is recognized for his impressive track record of achieving results in challenging environments,” Bulcke added. “The Board is confident that he will drive our growth plans forward and accelerate efficiency efforts.”
Navratil has been with Nestlé since 2001, starting as an auditor. Over the past two decades, he has taken on a wide range of leadership roles, building experience across multiple international markets.
In 2009, he became the Country Manager for Nestlé Honduras, later moving on to lead the company’s coffee and beverage business in Mexico. There, he played a major role in strengthening the Nescafé brand.
By 2020, Navratil joined Nestlé’s global coffee team, where he worked on long-term brand strategy. Most recently, he worked with the Nespresso brand and joined the Nestlé Executive Board in January 2025.
In his first statement as CEO, Navratil said he was honored to be chosen and looked forward to guiding the company through its next chapter.
“I fully embrace the company’s strategic direction, as well as the action plan in place to drive Nestlé’s performance,” he said. “I look forward to working closely with the entire leadership of the company… to accelerate execution and to drive the value creation plan with intensity.”
The leadership change comes at a sensitive time for Nestlé, as the company faces growing pressure to increase efficiency and boost shareholder value. While Navratil brings deep internal experience, questions remain about how the company will maintain stability and focus after such a high-profile exit.
Nestlé’s internal code of conduct has long been emphasized as a cornerstone of its corporate culture. The swift action to remove Freixe — without severance — sends a strong message about how seriously the company takes internal policy and ethical standards.
As the news spreads, many are watching how Nestlé will manage the transition and whether this sudden change at the top will have ripple effects across its global operations. For now, the company is betting on experience, discipline, and a steady hand as it moves forward.
