Nestle has abruptly dismissed its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Laurent Freixe, for failing to disclose a romantic relationship with a subordinate.
Nestle, maker of products ranging from KitKat to Nesquik, said that it had appointed veteran insider Philipp Navratil, who had headed the Nespresso coffee unit, as Freixe’s successor with immediate effect.
The shock departure threatens more volatility for Nestle amid a tough consumer environment and the disruptive United States trade tariffs.
The company said Freixe’s departure on Monday, September 1, 2025, follows an investigation overseen by Chairman Paul Bulcke and Lead Independent Director Pablo Isla into an undisclosed romantic relationship with a direct subordinate, which breached the company’s code of business conduct.
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“This was a necessary decision. Nestle’s values and governance are strong foundations of our company. I thank Laurent for his years of service,” Bulcke said in a statement.
The firm announced in June that Bulcke, its long-standing chairman, would stand down next year.
A company spokesman told Reuters concerns about a possible relationship between Freixe and a direct report first emerged in the spring through an internal company hotline.
The board of directors immediately opened an investigation into the matter, which was, however, inconclusive.
As the concerns persisted, the company launched a second probe, overseen by Bulcke and Isla and with the help of an external firm, which confirmed the relationship. Freixe had initially denied the relationship to the board, the spokesperson added.
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