Nestlé Fires CEO Laurent Freixe Over Undisclosed Workplace Relationship

Nestlé has abruptly removed CEO Laurent Freixe after an investigation found he had a previously undisclosed romantic relationship with a direct subordinate, violating the company’s code of business conduct. Freixe, who served as CEO for just one year, will not receive an exit package.

Philipp Navratil, a longtime Nestlé executive who previously headed Nespresso, has been appointed as Freixe’s successor effective immediately. Navratil joined Nestlé in 2001 as an internal auditor and has held leadership roles across Central America, Mexico, and the coffee division.

The investigation was run by CEO Paul Bulcke and lead independent director Pablo Isla, with assistance from outside legal counsel. The complaint arose first through Nestlé’s whistleblowing mechanism. It undertook a first investigative review, which was inconclusive then underwent a second where the inquiry established that the relationship did, in fact, breach the company policy. 

Bulcke stated the change does not affect Nestlé’s strategy. Freixe had been at Nestlé for nearly 40 years before becoming CEO in September 2024, when Mark Schneider departed. 

The firing highlights the value to transparency and corporate governance, particularly where there are personal relationships between senior executives. Nestlé will continue its growth and operational agenda on Navratil’s terms.