Nestle CEO Laurent Freixe has been fired over office romance with his subordinate.
NaijaOnPoint Nigeria reports that Nestle has announced the immediate dismissal of its CEO, Laurent Freixe, following an internal investigation into an undisclosed romantic relationship with a direct subordinate, which breached the company’s code of business conduct.
The multinational, known for brands including Nespresso, KitKat, Maggi, Purina, Gerber, and Nesquik, confirmed that Philipp Navratil, CEO of Nespresso, has been appointed as Freixe’s successor.
“The departure of Laurent Freixe follows an investigation into an undisclosed romantic relationship with a direct subordinate,” Nestle said in a statement. “This was a necessary decision. Nestle’s values and governance remain strong foundations of our company.”
Freixe, a Nestle veteran since 1986, had managed European and Latin American operations before ascending to the top role in September 2024, tasked with boosting consumer engagement in the company’s food and household product lines.
The company has faced mounting financial pressures, including a 10.3 percent slump in first-half profits reported in July 2025 due to weak consumer spending in China, despite price hikes on cocoa and coffee products. Nestle’s share price rose slightly by 0.13 percent to 75.49 Swiss francs on Monday.
Navratil, who joined Nestle in 2001 and became Nespresso CEO in 2024, has held key roles in Central America and Mexico, including global strategy for Nescafe and Starbucks brands. He joined the Nestle board in January 2025.
“The board is confident he will drive our growth plans forward and accelerate efficiency efforts,” chairman Paul Bulcke said. Navratil added, “I fully embrace the company’s strategic direction and will drive the value creation plan with intensity.”