Nestle has appointed Philipp Navratil as its new CEO after removing Laurent Freixe, who was found to have broken company rules by hiding a relationship with an employee. The sudden and abrupt shift in leadership has spurred a broader discussion about accountability, workplace boundaries, and corporate ethics in multinational corporations.
It also begs the question of how Nestle will proceed under Navratil’s direction while regaining the confidence of its staff, investors, and customers.
Why Laurent Freixe Was Fired?
Nestle confirmed that Freixe’s dismissal followed an internal investigation. The probe revealed that he was in a relationship with a direct subordinate, which went against Nestle’s strict code of business conduct.
In its statement, the company said, “The departure of Laurent Freixe follows an investigation into an undisclosed romantic relationship with a direct subordinate, which breached Nestle’s code of business conduct.”
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Nestle Chairman Paul Bulcke and Lead Independent Director Pablo Isla added, “This was a necessary decision. Nestle’s values and governance are strong foundations of our company. I thank Laurent for his years of service.”
Global Trend of CEOs Removed Over Affairs
Freixe’s exit adds to a growing list of top executives losing their positions due to workplace relationships. Recently, Astronomer CEO Andy Byron also stepped down after being removed for having an affair with the company’s HR head.
These high-profile cases highlight how global companies are tightening rules around power dynamics in office romances.
Who Is Philipp Navratil?
Philipp Navratil, born in 1976, holds both Swiss and Austrian nationality. He earned a Master’s degree in Business Administration, Finance and Capital Markets from the University of St. Gallen in 1996. During his studies, he also completed an exchange program at the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore (IIM-B).
In 2011, he attended the Senior Management Program (SMP) at IMD Switzerland. He joined Nestle in 2001 as an International Auditor and later became Country Manager for Nestle Honduras in 2009.
Navratil’s Career Growth at Nestle
Navratil rose through the company with key leadership roles in Latin America and Mexico. In 2013, he took charge of Nestle’s coffee and beverage business in Mexico, one of its most competitive markets, driving brand growth.
In 2020, he was promoted to Nestle’s Global Coffee Strategic Business Division. There, he managed global strategy and innovation for flagship coffee brands like Nescafe and licensed Starbucks products.
By 2024, he was leading Nespresso, Nestle’s premium coffee business. On January 1, he joined the Nestle Executive Board, and now, he has become the new CEO.
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Nestlé’s Next Chapter
At a delicate moment when multinational corporations are under pressure to uphold strict governance and workplace standards, Nestle has changed its leadership.
It is anticipated that under Navratil’s leadership, the company will uphold its core principles while pursuing expansion in important market areas like coffee and drinks.
