From Nestlé’s 40 Years to Sudden Exits: How CEO Laurent Freixe replaces his miserable defeat with subordinates
Swiss food giant Nestlé announced on Monday that it immediately dismissed CEO Laurent Freixe after an internal investigation confirmed an undisclosed romantic relationship with his direct subordinates.
The manufacturer of Nescafe and Purina said the investigation concluded that Freixe’s relationship violated Nestlé’s code of business conduct. The company stressed that this behavior is inconsistent with its governance standards, AP reported.
“It’s a necessary decision,” said Chairman Paul Bulcke. “Nestlé’s values and governance are a strong foundation for our company. I am grateful to Laurent for his years of service at Nestlé.”
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But how was the crushing defeat exposed?
According to foreign media reports, the case was revealed through Nestlé’s reporting channel. The allegations were unproven by initial inquiry earlier this year. However, the ongoing complaints led to a second investigation and were supported by external lawyers that confirmed the relationship and its conflict of interest.
Although the individual is not a member of the Executive Committee, the names of the subordinates involved have not been disclosed.
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How long did Laurent Freixe stay with Nestle?
Freixe, 63, took over Mark Schneider for only one year on September 1, 2024.
Navratil joined Nestle as an internal auditor in 2001 and held roles in the Coffee Strategic Business Division in Central America and head of Nespresso.
Freixe’s sack ended his 40-year career at Nestlé, which began in 1986 with negotiating a grocery contract. He continued to hold leadership positions throughout Europe and Latin America before becoming CEO of Latin America in 2022. He became global CEO in 2024, marking the pinnacle of his career.
Changes were made in the top ranking of the broader restructuring of Nestlé. In June, Chairman Paul Bulcke announced that he would resign in 2026, while in April, Americas Americas EVP and CEO Steve Presley retired after nearly three decades.
