Nestlé Swaps CEO Roles: Laurent Freixe Forced Out, Philipp Navratil Takes Over Position

Nestlé, the world's largest food and beverage company, has announced a change in leadership as Philipp Navratil steps into the role of CEO, following the dismissal of Laurent Freixe due to personal misconduct.

Laurent Freixe, who held the position of CEO from 2024 to 2025, was abruptly terminated due to allegations of a romantic relationship with a subordinate. The investigation into Freixe's conduct was conducted under the leadership of Chairman Paul Bulcke and independent director Pablo Isla.

The board, in a unanimous decision, voted to terminate Freixe's contract with immediate effect, citing the need to protect the company's integrity. The dismissal comes at a sensitive time for Nestlé, as the company has been grappling with various challenges, including global inflation and tariffs pushing input costs higher, requiring sharper financial discipline.

Nestlé's board emphasised that there will be no shift in strategic direction under Navratil. Navratil, an insider with over two decades of experience at Nestlé, has managed brands like Nescafe® and Starbucks (via Nestlé's licensing partnership) in Central America, Mexico, and globally.

The new CEO inherits a challenge to stabilise operations, win back investor confidence, and chart a clear path forward. Nestlé must balance its traditional strengths with innovation in health-focused and sustainable products, a task that Navratil is expected to tackle with discipline and a focus on restoring trust.

The leadership shuffle at Nestlé is not new, with the company cycling through multiple CEOs in less than two years. Mark Schneider, who was CEO from 2017 to 2024, faced criticism for failing to keep up with competitors in health and nutrition-focused product lines.

Chairman Paul Bulcke, who has been with Nestlé since 1979 and served as CEO from 2008 to 2017, will retire in 2026, adding pressure on Navratil to navigate a double transition. The news of Freixe's firing has resulted in a 2% dip in Nestlé's shares in pre-market trading.

As Nestlé moves forward under its new leadership, the focus remains on maintaining the company's reputation for quality and innovation while addressing the challenges that lie ahead.

Nestlé Swaps CEO Roles: Laurent Freixe Forced Out, Philipp Navratil Takes Over Position