Nestlé Names Philipp Navratil as New CEO Following Sudden Dismissal of Laurent Freixe

Vevey, Switzerland – Nestlé’s Board of Directors has appointed Philipp Navratil as Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect, following the dismissal of Laurent Freixe. The decision came after an internal investigation confirmed Freixe had engaged in an undisclosed romantic relationship with a direct subordinate, breaching the company’s Code of Business Conduct.

The investigation was overseen by Chairman Paul Bulcke and Lead Independent Director Pablo Isla, with support from independent external counsel.

“This was a necessary decision. Nestlé’s values and governance are strong foundations of our company. I thank Laurent for his years of service at Nestlé,” Bulcke said.

Navratil, who joined Nestlé in 2001, has held multiple leadership roles across Latin America and the coffee business. Most recently, he served as head of Nespresso and became a member of the Nestlé Executive Board in January 2025.

Philipp Navratil

Bulcke expressed confidence in the new CEO, stating: “Philipp is recognized for his impressive track record of achieving results in challenging environments. He inspires teams and leads with a collaborative, inclusive management style.”

Accepting his appointment, Navratil said: “I am honored by the trust the Board has placed in me… to accelerate execution and drive the value creation plan with intensity.”

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