Nestlé’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Laurent Freixe, was sacked on September 1, 2025, due to a clandestine relationship with a colleague, which violated the company’s code of conduct, as stated by Nestlé.Laurent Freixe, aged 63, maintained an unethical relationship with an assistant, breaching Nestlé’s code of conduct. The relationship came to light through a company-installed camera.

The investigation was overseen by Nestlé’s Chairman, Paul Bulcke, and independent director Pablo Isla. Initial inquiries yielded no evidence, but a third-party investigation confirmed the relationship. Reports indicate that Freixe initially denied the relationship. A French business expert, Laurent Freixe had been with Nestlé since 1986, starting with marketing and sales roles in France, followed by leadership responsibilities in Hungary, the Iberian region, and Latin America.

In 2022, following Nestlé’s geographical restructuring, Freixe was appointed CEO of the Latin America zone. On September 1, 2024, he succeeded Mark Schneider as Nestlé’s CEO but was removed from the position a year later.Philipp Navratil has been immediately appointed as Nestlé’s new CEO. Navratil has been with Nestlé since 2001, initially as an internal auditor, later taking on various commercial roles in Central America.

From 2013 to 2020, he led Nestlé’s coffee and beverage business in Mexico. In 2020, he became responsible for global strategy and innovation for Nescafé and Starbucks brands. In July 2024, he was appointed CEO of Nespresso, and in January 2025, he joined the company’s executive board.Nestlé’s action underscores its commitment to strict governance and ethical values. Under Philipp Navratil’s leadership, the company plans to continue its strategic initiatives and enhance performance.